OR 

THE SPANISH MARTYR: 

A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS, 
BY J, KOBERTSON. 



RECONSTRUCTED AND GREATLY ABRIDGED. 



That man must be dead to every elevated thought and every generous 
sentiment, who does not feel indignation and sorrow in considering the 
Tragic Close of the Great Drama of the Spanish Revolution ; the 
rise of which excited so much interest, and inspired so much hope. — Wesi- 
mmstei' Revieiv. 



PUBLISHED BY J. W. RANDOLPH, 
RICHMOND VA. 

1872. 



RiEao, 



OR 



THE SPANISH MARTYR 



A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. 



BY J. ROBERTSON. 



RECONSTRUCTED AND GREATLY ABRIDGED. 



That man must be dead to every elevated thought and every generous 
sentiment, who does not feel indignation and sorrow in considering the 
TkacxIC Close of the Great Drama of the Spanish Revolution ; the 
rise of which excited so much interest, and inspired so much hope. — West- 
//utister Revieiv. 



PUBLISHED BY J. W. RANDOLPH, 
RICHMOND VA. 

1872. 



187::^ 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

J. W. EANDOLPH, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, I). C. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The theme attempted in this drama, is the Revolution in 
Spain — that of 1820 — and more particularly the fate of its ill- 
starred champion, Riego. No event, probably, ever more 
deeply excited the public sympathy. *^ Notwithstanding its 
disgraceful termination," as has well been observed by a pow- 
erful writer, ^Hhe Spanish Revolution, from the magnitude 
of the interests involved in its success or failure, and from 
the nature of the experiment must be regarded as one of the 
most tremendous catastrophes which are to be found recorded 
in the history of our time." 

The author's object has been to present some of the most 
interesting incidents and prominent actors, in that glorious, 
though unfortunate struggle. He will not say that he has 
followed history in every particular, with scrupulous exact- 
ness. But the principal scenes and traits of character — the 
various fortune of the Revolutionary contest — ^the stormy de- 
bates in the Cortes — ^the artful villany of Saez— the treachery 
of Abisbal, Ballasteros, and Morillo — the falsehood, cruelty 
and pusillanimity of Ferdinand VII — the energy and perse- 
vering constancy of Mina — the patriotic devotion and execra- 
ble assassination of the Great Chief of the Revolution — 
and the tenderness and distress of his wife — will be found 
sufficiently sustained by authentic narratives, or contemporary 
opinion. 



DRAMATIS PERRONS. 



EiEGO, CJiief of the Revolutionarij party ^ called the I/ib* rnls. 
San Miguel, Secretary of State, attached to the Liher /-v, 
iNA, J Qjgif,^j.g attached to the same party. 

ARGuELiiES, Civil Chief of Spain. 
Galiano, a Liberal : Member of the Cortes. 

Ff^rfr \ ^^^^^ Liberals : Members of the Cortes. 

The Canon Riego. 

Diaz, a youth : son of Porlier, who was slain in a 2)re>'iovs cidl 

war. 
RoQTJE, an old Soldier, 
Ferdinand VIL , King of Spain, 
Vinuesa, his Confessor. 
Saez. a Monkj afterwurds Prime Minister. 
Alagon, Commander of the Life Guard. 
Chamorro, King^s Buffoon. 

Abisbal, ^ Officers: originally attached to the L'berals, 

Ballasteros, [but who deserted to the Serviles, or Kiriy' s 
MoRiLLo, J party. 
A Nuncio, from Rome. 

TTpi A T> m'T' "J 

RoMUALDo i Familiars of the Inquisition. 
Dona Theresa, wife of Riego. 
Inez, attendant on Dona Theresa. 

Inquisitors^ Alcaldes^ Officers^ Soldiers, Courtiers, Ladies. 
Monks, Attendants. 



SCENE : Madrid and its vicinity. TIME : Two days. 



K, I E Q- O , 

ACT FIRST. 
Scene I. 

All Apartment in the Palace. Saez on a Couch partly con- ' 
eealed. He murmurs indistinctly ; then exclaims aloud ^ 
Victor, Victor the Fourth ! Awakes. Gone, vanished I 
Crown and Mitre, Sword and Keys ! 
Comes forward. 

How Fancy hath with visionary scenes 

Entranced my soul ; Bishop — 'Twas thus it ran ; 

Then Cardinal ; and so from high to highest. 

Methought the Pope was dead. I sat amid 

The Elders of the Church met to declare 

Which of themselves should rule the vacant See. 

With awe and hope I heard the name of Saez 

Audibly whispered round the Hall. All eyes 

Were turned toward me. Long days and nights were spent 

In fruitless schemes, each plotting for himself. 

I with affected self-denial, favored 

First this, then that, and thus gained many friends ; 

Till, rising by degrees, my lucky star on high 

Rode in the ascendant. Lo I With one accord 

The scarlet caps were doffed, and Victor! Victor 

The Fourth! was hailed. Viceroy of God on earth. 

Straightway from all her hills the Eternal City 

Back echoed the joyful tidings : Saez ruled the universe ! 

Strange mysteries soothe these vagaries of the mind 

In sleep ; more strange if meaningless, or meant 

To cheat us with false hopes and fears. Old Seers 

Have taught, in dreams Heaven whispers to the soul 

Of man his coming doom of weal or woe ; 

Or is it that Fancy, while dull reason sleeps, 

With meteor ray points out the path which leads 

To Fortune — Power ! Grand attribute of God ! 

Sure Heaven-born souls may covet thee unblamed, 

To grasp at once a Godlike destiny ; 

To soar while others crawl ; to bless or blast 

At will ; our smile a sunbeam, aud our frown 

The drear eclipse making all nature sad ; 

To be the gaze, the envy of the world ; 

The one amid the million — So : This dream 

Should busy many a waking thought : It shall, 

And proudest monarchs yet may bow to Saez. 



Enter Vinuesa. 

Vinuesa. No spies, good son ? 

Saez. Ugarte is on the watch : 
Uneasy dreams, I fear, have vexed thy sleep, Father. 

Vinuesa. Aye; frightful dreams. 
Sleep came not to my eyes the livelong night, 
Nor slumber to my eyelids. 

[The Tragala is sounded in the streets.] Hal The accursed 
tragala. 

My dream ! my dream ! — Saez thou hast faith in dreams? 

Saez. Abiding faith. 

Vinuesa. And think' st them sent from Heaven? 

Saez. Undoubted revelations. 

Vinuesa. Then are we doomed. 
The Church, the Throne this day must fall, and we 
Be crushed beneath. Say not my dream must come 
To pass 

Saez. What's told from Heaven must needs be true 
Though wrapped in oppo-^ite or mystic phrase. 
Oft like the sunbeam thro' the rifted cloud 
Dreams wing their way with aim direct ; as oft 
Like the unfettered bolt, their wayward course 
The gifted seer alone hath power V interpret. 
But Father cheer up thy drooping spirits. 
I'll tell thee of a dream so Heavenly bright, 
So full of happy omens — 

Vinuesa. First hear one 
Shall shock thy soul as still it shocketh mine. 

\^They retire and converse apart.] 

Enter King Ferdinand in his Morning Robe, meeting Cha- 
MORRo Fantastically Dressed. 

Cham. God save your majesty two thousand years. 

King Ferd. I could not bide thy tardy steps. 

Cham. Don Pedro fain would grace the grand procession. 

Kiag Ferl. [Tfirniiig him about.] Why, thy new suit's 
superb, magnificent. 

Cham. Your majesty can have it this one day, 
For thy dull crown and robes. 

King Ferd. [Laughs.] In haste I left them. 
Get them, and meet me at the Tambour Hall. 

Chim. A king for luck ! 

Kiig Ferd. What? Is there luck in that ? 

Cham. Prodigious : Kings have seldom left their crown* 
And brought away their heads. 



King Ferd. That's a vile jest. 
Hath the sun risen ? 

Cham. Five seconds and a half 
Before his time, to greet your majesty. 

King Ferd. And smiles auspiciously ? 

Cham. Smiles? Nay; laughs outright, 
His face is one broad grin, just like your majesty's. 

[King Ferd laughs.] 

ViNUESA and Saez Advance. 

Both. God save your majesty a thousand years. 

K. Ferd. As long may he preserve our good confessor, 
And trusty Saez. 

Cham. [Half aside to king.] Majesty beware I 
One monk is one too many for Old Satan : 
Two must o'er match a king. 

K. Ferd. Go trifler. 

[Exit Chamorro. 

Vin. What troubles, son, thus early drive thee from 
Thy couch? 

' K. Ferd. Nay, Father, joy denied repose. 
Till late I plied my pious work, until 
At last its consummation I beheld. 
This day, this day, my handiwork shall deck 
The Virgin's lovely form. 

All. Hail Blessed Mary ! 

K. Ferd. The hour is at hand ; and then my wish fulfilled, 
Spain's vast domains contain no heart more blest 
Than that which beats within her monarch's breast. 
But Saez, our Program ; hast thou mapped it out 
Just as we conned it o'er ? 

Saez. Your majesty, 

trust, will find all right. 

K. Ferd. And the Black List — 

Saez. I have added some few scores. 

K. Ferd. What matters it. 
How many rebel dogs we hang? 'Twere best 
To hang them all. Come, I'll affix the seal, 
Then forth to meet the jocund King of Day, 
And his bright smiles, with smiles as bright repay. 

\_Exeunt. 



Scene II. 
A Library in 'RiEGO^ ^ House. Diaz Reading. 
Diaz. ^^ So saying, in her heart she plunged a knife before 
concealed, and lifeless, fell at their feet. [Much moved.} The 
husband and the father sobbed aloud." 



8 

[Reads interruptedly,'] ^ ^Brutus — drawing forth — the bloody 
dagger — By this blooi — so pure — with fire and sword— I will 
pursue the hateful race-, — and, witness it^ ye Gods I Never 
again shall monarch reign in Rome.''^ 
Well said, brave Brutus : — Witness it ye Gods 1 
Neoer again shall monarch reign in Rome I 

Enter Riego. 

[Perceives i?^^] Thy pardon — Senor, — I — I — 

Riego, Hold I — Good Diaz ; 
Rather should I crave thine, thus to interrupt 
Thy pleasing studies. [Takes the hook,] 
Ah! what theme can Rome's 
Grave annalist have found that thus hath touched thee ? 

Diaz, One might touch hearts of stone : Lucretia's wrongs — 

Riego, Aye, wrongs indeed: enough to call the blush 
To manhood's cheek, and rouse a slave to vengeance. 

Diaz, No slave was Brutas : — nor the fool he seemed. 

Blego, But had he been the craven fool he feigned. 
The shock had roused him from his idiot sleep, 
Upon his darkened brain poured a strange light, 
And thawed the icy current of his heart. 

Diaz, Had Brutus faltered in his stern resolve, 
Senor, think, what had Rome been I 

Riego. What had 
She been? Behold her now! Like Spain, the slave 
Of monks I But nobly he redeemed his pledge ; 
Stript from the tyrant-race the regal robe, 
And levelling in the dust their guilty throne, 
Taught Freemen to abjure the sway of Kings. 

Diaz^ Spain hath her Tarquin too ! 

Riego, Worse, worse : a wretch 
In power, himself the slave of appetites 
More vile than cursed Roiae's brutal tyrant. 

Diaz. Yet Spain hath sons as brave as Brutus : would 
That one like Brutus might be roused to right 
Her wrongs. 

Riego. There's no true Spanish heart 
Bat echoes back thy prayer. Bat think not Diaz 
The spirit of our Fathers yet extinct. 
Oa Ferdinand's hands still moist the blood of men 
Who nobly strove to break his iron sceptre. 
Young as thou art thy morning dawned 
Upon their valiant deeds and glorious martyrdom. 

Diaz. My father?— say, my loved— lost father — was 
Not he among them? 

Riego, Aye ! Their life their leader : 
And never bolder chief drew sword from scabbard. 



9 

Diaz. He perished ! — but 'twas for his country. 

Eiego. Perished ! 
Say rather liveth in immortal glory. 

Diaz, Speak of my honored Father ; 
I've learned from good old Roque, how at dead 
Of night he marched through drifting snows ; how by 
His guide betrayed, he fell amid the slain, 
Nor woke till fast enchained in deep dark dungeon. 
[Roque here stops : we join our tears and sobs : 
Overwhelmed with grief he strives to end the tale:] 
But how my father died his trembling lips 
Ever refused to tell. 

Riego, Roque stood by him 
To the last, and from the fangs of monks and vultures 
Snatched his unburied corse. 

Diaz. brave old heart ! 
Never he spoke of that. Ah ! tell me all ; — 
All, Sefior, tho' it pierce me to the soul. 

Riego. Ere long that sad, yet grateful task be mine : 

With thee to contemplate his manly virtues ; 
His valiant deeds : ! would that memory 
Might dwell on these, forgetful of the scene 
Which closed his bright career, when, like brave Lacy, 
By Ferdinand betrayed to chains and death ! 

Diaz. Yet Ferdinand lives ! Should not the thought 
Cause Porlier's blood to boil in Diaz's veins, 
And redden his cheek with shame ? 

Riego. On Porlier's friend 
Rest that reproach, if ought be due, who still 
Hath spared a forfeit life, to stay the flow 
Of worthier blood. Thy tender age, my Diaz — 

Diaz. Sen or, that plea no more avails ; this day 
I stand enrolled a soldier of the State. 

Riego. Thy birth-day ! Sooth, it had escaped my memory. 

Diaz. But thou hast not forgot my birth-day gift ? 

Riego, Thy father's sword? ^Rings.~\ Old Roque holds 
it for thee. 

Diaz. I know, and oft have I assisted him 
To keep its polished metal free from rust. 

Enter Roque. 

Riego. Give Diaz his father's sword. 

Roque. And regimentals, Sen or ? 

Riego. The chest and its contents. All, are his. 

Diaz. Ah, good old soul, to think of that. 

[Embraces Mm fondly .'] 
Come, come. [Going — returns.^ 



10 

Seiior, when thou shalt march to meet the French, 
May I be with thee ? 

Riego. Aye, nearest my heart, 
In camp, and on the battlefield! 'Twill seem 
As though my Porlier stood again beside me, 
To aid our country's cause. 

Diaz. No prouder lot 
Could he have asked of Heaven for Diaz — Senor, 
One favor more ; old Roque — I do 
Believe 'twould break his heart were I to leave him. 

Riego. Leave Roque ! No ; he was thy father's friend 
And faithful comrade, to his dying day, 
And shall be thine. 

Diaz. Ah ! Roque, hear'st thou that? 

Roque. Thou'st won asuit Ifeared to ask. Thanks, thanks. 

Diaz. No thanks : as much I sued to serve myself as thee. 
My sword, my sword. 

\_Exit Diaz and Roque. 1 

Riego. How daily in his breast spontaneous spring, 
The virtues that adorned his noble sire. 
Did riper years but brace his youthful arm, 
No bolder champion Spain need ask, to prop 
The cause her Porlier hallowed with his blood. 

Elder Dona. Theresa, unobserved : she touches Riego. 

Dofta Theresa. [Sighs.^ Thou'rt sad ! Riego, 
That cloudy brow tells of some anxious thought. 

Riego. A fleeting shade thy smile shall soon dispel. 

Dona The. ! Come with me, and in our favorite haunt, 
All sterner cares forego. Come 1 Come ! Ah me ! 
Some spirit whispers me, there was a time — 
Some short moons since — one happy hour above 
The rest, thy heart may guess — when not in vain 
Had poor Theresa sued. Rememberest thou that hour ? 

Riego. Thou doubt' st it not? — More freshly than the last. 

Dona The. In El Retiro's wildest walk, we strayed, — 
Alone — scarce conscious that around us Night 
Had thrown her friendly veil. The Star of Faith, 
With fixed eye, o'er Buytrago's height 
Looked down ; looked down and smiled — 

Riego. To view a sight 
Lovelier than Buytrago's glittering peak : — 
Affection's crystal gem ; pure as the mine 
From whence it sprang ; more brilliant than the ray 
That lit it up j spangling thy cheek, till brushed 
By my rude lip away. 

Dona The. Not rude, but murmuring 
Soft vows of constancy, enduring as 



11 

The hills which rose above : — Forget' st thou that? 

Riego. Sooner those hills shall dip their snowy plumes 
In Manzanares' rill, or his scant stream 
O'erleap their towering heads. Still, as in that 
Fond hour, throb not our hearts in unison ? 

Dona The. So mine will think ; then wond'ring asks, why- 
kept 
A stranger to the pangs that rend thy bosom ? 
Ah ! if thy sad Theresa seem o'er earnest — 

Riego. Why then 'twere but a grateful proof of what 
Needs none. But think! Our country smoking with 
Her children's blood ;— our friends beset by spies, 
Knowing no safety but in mutual faith : — 
Think well of this: — then say, would my Theresa — 

Do^a The. Nay j She would have her husband guard his 
secret 
Even against the bribery of love. 

Riego. Thou dost forgive me then ? 

Dona The. Love, honor thee the more, 
If that might be, for thy unswerving truth. 

Riego. Could I prove false to fri3ndship, thou should' st be 
The first to spurn my broken faith ; — for 'tis g 
From thee I take lessons of constancy. 

Dona The. ! sweet is praise from thy too flattering lips. 
Blest lot ! To win thy smile, and on this breast 
Pillow the griefs that sadden thine. [J5eZZ rings.'] 
Hark ! hark ! 

Enter a Servant. 

Servant. A begging Friar, all the way from Pampeluna ; — 
Reigo. Tidings, I trust, from Mina : Show him hither. 

[Exit Servant. 
Dona The. This poor traveler will need refreshment. 

l^Exit Dona Theresa.] 

Enter Mina disguised as a Friar. 

Riego, Ah ! Mina I Welcome ! welcome to Madrid. 

[^Embracing.] 
And to my heart. But why this odious garb ? 

Mina. My passport to your monk -beleaguered city. 

Riego. And is it not, my friend, a damning proof 
Of our degenerate state, that honest men 
Must skulk in masks, while knaves, notorious knaves, 
In Heaven's broad light walk unreproved ? 

Mina. Treachery fast weaves her web around us : 

Riego. But think'st thou, Mina, Spain will still confide 

In Ferdinand's broken oaths ? 

Mina. No, Senor, no : 



12 

K noble spirit reigns, resolved to find 
"Some surer guarantee for freemen's rights, 
Than faith in faithless rulers. 'Tis of this, 
I come to speak. 

Riego. Of all Spain's perils — and hopes : — 
Speak, Senor, freely. 

Mina. Much upon our feuds 
The Serviles count, but most on French battalions 
That like an evening storm, no-v sweep o'er Spain. 

Riego. They'll raise in turn a hurricane shall drive 
Their columns back tho' denser than the hosts 
That blasted Egypt ! 

Mma, It is fit we look 
Our danger in the face. The home-bred traitor, 
The foreign foe, the sinner and the saint, 
Daily invoke Heaven. Earth and Hell, to fix 
On Spain a yoke more galling e'en than that 
Thou and thy comrades loosed. 

Riego. Who may such dread catastrophe avert 
If not her faithful Mina? 

Mina. Thou. Riego — 
The man of Arcos and Cabezas : raise 
Once more the Charter of our rights, and give 
To rescued Spain a name like Washington's 
To bless and honor. 

Riego. Dear the friend who thus would gild 
My humble name : doubly dear, could he 
But teach me how to earn a glory next 
To Heaven, the highest bliss man's heart could ask. 
The means? The means? 

Mina. A just and glorious cause ; 
Riego' s valiant arm and magic name — 

Rieqo. His sword, — and life, — pnd soul, — all, all are 
Spain's. 

Mina. What needs she more? save the stout hearts and 
true. 
Who only ask that thou shouldst lead them on ? 

Riego. ! Glorious lotl Leader of the brave! 
Battling for Right ! — But — Pardon — Pardon me ; 
I do repent the hasty pledge — 'Twas selfish. 

Mina. Selfish? 

Riego. Presumptuous ! Rash ! 

Mina. Thou' It not refuse ! — 
What ! — Foremost to confront thy country's enemies ? 
I'll not believe it ; tho' Hell's swarthy Monk 
Did head them. What heart, true to our cause, could shrink ? 

Riego. The best, the bravest, Mina, well might pause 
To assume a trust fraught with his country's fate. 



13 



Whilst generous friends far worthier — 

Mina. Hold ! None worthier : 
Thy friends will proudly share thy toilS; thy glory — 
Riego's faithful soldiers: if thou wilt, 
His Brothers ; 'Tis thy country calls. 

Riego. She ne'er can call in vain on her Riego. 

Mina. There spoke her son. 

Riego. Whose title none shall doubt 
While Mina owns him as a Brother. \_Takes his Jiaiid.] 

Mina. A sterner proof her need exacts. But I 
Must haste to give our friends the joyous pledge 
That soon they shall embrace their chief. 

Riego. The place ? 

Mina. Beneath the lofty elms that skirt 
The Prado's midmost walk — in guise like this. 
Adieu ! Adieu ! 

Riego. Adieu, my friend. \_Exit Mina.~\ 

Riego, Solus. 

This day against unhappy Spain, once more 
A son uplifts his paricidal hand. 
O Father ! Turn the unnatural st^el aside •, 
Or if in blood 'tis fated to be dyed, 
From her loved breast let mine avert its aim, 
And spare thy Heavens a scene of guilt and shame. 

iExit.'\ 



14 

ACT SECOND. 
Scene I. 

The Tambour Hall. A table with a Chair of State at one end- 
On the table a case containing the Virginia Embroidered 
Robe. 

Enter Chamorro, icith the Crown and Robe. 

Chamorro. Well, now only suppose His Majesty, Don Fer- 
nando, carried off, as one of these days he certainly will be, 
by His Majesty Don Diablo ; who shall wear this pretty head- 
piece ? TheKing^s brother Carloe^ of course, say the monks ; 
but the Liberals and the soldiers say no. The most serene 
Infant wont do. Oar loving Consort^ says Majesty ; a mere 
woman ! to order us courtiers of the bed chamber to shave off 
our mustachios, and metamortify us into waiting maids. No ! 
Queens can't be Kings ; so that's settled. Who comes nextf 
He that's next nearest, says I. And who^sthatf The favorite. 
Not Chamorro, says you. And why not? Who stands, 
or lies nearer Majesty day or night? But, says you, the 
Chamorros have no royal blood. Save you, sir, my name is 
Don Pedro Collado ; and the Collados are as full of the blood 
royal as Emperor Nap or King Pepe. I have hearn my 
grand father say that his great grandfather told him that 
his father's great great grandfather's father was a grandson 
of Canaan. Royal blood, forsooth ! I doubt if there's a 
single thimbleful in the veins of all the Kings and Queens, 
and Infants and Infantesses, upon earth, that's pure and 
unadultrified. But you've no sense j no edification; says 
you. But I can make a law, that a cross — so X shall stand 
for ''I the King." A King has sense by law; and sense 
by proxy — and that's enough for any King. All that's 
wanting to make a King is a crown and robes. [Puts on the 
crown and robes and struts before a mirror.^ Yes ! I'll be 
King by the name of Don Pedro : and then I'll send crowns 
and robes enough to furnish all the poor suffering Republics 
of the New World. And I'll send each of them a young Col- 
lado. 

[He takes the Kings chair and affects to embroider. '\ 

Enter Ai.AGo^, Abisbal, Ladies, Monks, ko,.^ bowing obse- 
quiously to Chamorro, who keeps his face down. 

All. God give your Majesty a thousand years. 
Chamorro. [Raising his head.'] Behold your King I 
Courtiers. [Laughing.'] Ah I King Chamorro ! 
Others. King fool I 
Chamorro. No. King of Fools I 



15 



Enter King Ferdinand, Vinuesa and Saez. 

All. The King ! the King ! God save your Majesty. 

Chamorro, Majesty shall never want a crown while Don 
Pedro has one to spare. [^Puts crown and robes on the King, 
who takes Ms seat.] 

King Ferdinand. [Pointing to the robe. ] How like ye this ? 

1st Lady. See there, Carlota ! what a beauteous bud ! 

2nd Lady. ! charming. \_To Courtier. ~\ Is't not sweet? 

l^^ Courtier. I' Faith — the very odor of the rose ! 

2d Courtier, A. master-piece. 

Zd Courtier^ Perfection, that's the word. 

1^^ Lady. Wherein, Carlota, think' st thou the crowning 
beauty ? 

2nd Lady. Now, sooth, I scarce can choose — the truth to 
nature — 

1st Courtier. Nature ne'er painted buds so fair as these. 

1st Lady. Now, I should say, — the brightness of the tints. 

3cZ Lady. The warmth, the freshness of the coloring ! 

King Ferdinand. We'll hear the Count. 

Abisbal. Bid me amid 
Creation's wonders choose the greatest. — 

Seiner al Courtiers and Ladies. Fine I 

Abisbal. That princely genius — 

Several Courtiers and Ladies. Hear him ! 

Abisbal. That royal fancy — which did first 

Conceive the illustrious thought. 

Several Courtiers and Ladies. Sublime ! Sublime ! 

King Ferdinand. A well-turned compliment, in sooth : 
what says good Saez ? 

Saez. Grand the conception truly, but 
It equals not the skill that wrought it out. 

Several Courtiers and Ladies. Hear Saez ! 

Saez. — The master strokes — the magic touch.— 
{Hear I Hear I) 

— The superhuman art — the Godlike power-— 
Which could from this, [the needle,'] from these, [the threads] 
From nothing as it were, 
Create a universe of beauties ! 

Several Courtiers and Ladies. Splendid ! Magnificent ! 

K, Ferdinand. High praise, we own. 

1st Courtier, So just withal. 

Chamorro. All at fault. 

K, Ferdinand, Chamorro wants both eye to see, and 
tongue 
To praise our pious work. 

Chamorro, True, mighty King. 

K, Ferd, What ! True, say'st thou ? 



16 

Chamorro. Aye ; dazzled by its lustre, 
And dumb with admiration ! 

K. Ferd. Rare Chamorro ! 
Now beat Don Dummy if you can. [To Saez.'] See Saez 
That all goes right without. 

\_Exit Saez accompanied by Nuncio.~\ 

\^To Vinuesa.~\ Good Father, thou 
Hast given us hope the Virgin will accept 
Our simple offering. 

Vin, Doubtless, son, 'Tis thou 
Alone, most blest of earthly monarchs, who 
Hath wrought a gift so precious in her eyes. 

K. Ferd. To-day! This day ! Ah, can it be? And shall 
I yet be spared to see the hour 
So long, so brightly pictured to my hope ? 
The RoIdc ! the Robe ! It still doth need a girdle. 

1st Lady. What color would your Majesty prefer? 

K. Ferd. Let me think : — Black? What say ye? 

Courtiers^ Ladies. It should be black. 

Chamorro. Don Pedro likes it not. 

K. Ferd. In sooth, Chamorro, mourning is a dismal sight. 
White now, methinks — 

Courtiers^ Ladies. 0! Much better! Clearly! Decidedly! 

\st Courtier. Why, we call white the Virgin's color. 

2d Courtier. The happiest day of our lives we are clothed 
in white. 

Chamorro. And geese every day : most happy geese. 

1st Monk. The snows from heaven are white. 

Chamorro. [Half aside.] So are an Old Friar's locks — 
beneath his cowl. 

K. Ferd. Chamorro' s hard to please. After all, blue 
most strikes my fancy. 

1st Courtier. Now I protest I was just thinking of blue. 

2d M nk. 'Tis the very hue of Heaven itself. 

K Ferd And of sweet Carlota's eye's: [Aside to second 
Lady.] And there's Heaven m them. [ ^s?c?e.] How charm- 
ingly she blushes ! It shall be blue. 

Ladies. Courtiers. Blue is best : by all means, blue. 

1st Courtier. A bright thought ; was't not? 

(lourtitrs. Brilliant ! Wonderfully brilliant. 

K, Ferd. What says Chamorro? 

Chamorro. Don Pedro likes it not. 

Courtiers, [Laugh ng.] 0! wise Chamorro ! 

K. Ferd. How ! Pray will your Sapience make a better 
choice ? 

Ch imorro. Freely : for your wise counsellors forget, as 
does Majesty, the color ye all like most: — the Queen of 
Colors. 



17 

1st Courtier, The fool means red. 

Chamorro, That's true. [ Points at him,'] The fool meendB 
red : Don Pedro means — [Laughs'] — All at fault ? 
K Ferd. Say : Speak at once. 
Chamorro. [Showing Gold.] Behold I 
K F.rd. By our Lady, Chamorro is wiser than ye all. 
Haste, haste ! A girdle of golden tissue. 

[Exit \st Lady Music without, playing King Ferdinand^ 8 
march Chamorro runs to a window.] 
Cham. ! Here they come I The Giants are coming I The 
Giants are coming I 

[The King replaces the robe in the case. The table and 
chair are removed. Presently enter in procession masked 
figures of Moors, Egyptians, Gigantic Men and Wo- 
men, Dwarfs ; then dancing boys with hoops and bellSy 

and Exeunt, 
K. Ferd. Hark ! Hear ye the loyal shouts ? 

[Shouts without. Long live the absolute King!] 

Re-enter NuNCiO. 
Nuncio. Your Majesty 
Shall see a sight to make ye proud ; a host 
Who yearn to greet their King. 

K. Ferd, And loyal, think' st thou ? 

Nuncio. No Rebel yet, they say, hath shown his face. 

[Shouts Down wtth the Charter ! Death ! Death to 
Riego !] 
K. F%rd, There's music in those shouts. 

Re-enter Saez. 

Thy looks speak joyous tidings ? 

Saez Too joyous nigh for utterance. The Rebels — 

K. Ferd, Ah ? 

Saez. Scattered like leaves before the hurricane. 

K. Ferd. Joy ! Victory I Victory I But thou'rt sure of this ? 

Saez. A rout ! A rout ! ^ 

K. Ferd. All, Saez : quick, tell us all. 

Saez. At first seditious cries were faintly heard ; 
In turn, thy loyal guard loud cheered their Sovereign. 
Above the throng, good Vinuesa called 
Aloud on all to aid in prayer for Ferdinand 
The Beloved. Down at once, the Faithful sunk 
On reverential knee. Alone, unmoved. 
Stood the proud Liberals, while the daring band 
Of Isla flaunted their rebellious flag. 
Defying God and man. A signal rose ; 
Swift on the stifle-necked crew rushed gallant Freyre 
Pressing their flying ranks ; and still they flee 
Before his eager sword. 



18 

K. Ferd. I Day of Glory ! 
Fly, Saez I Bid Alagon complete the work. 
Who spares a traitor now, rebels Against Heaven. [Exit Saez."] 
What thinks your Eminence ? Should rebels look 
For pardon ? 

Nuncio, Here nor hereafter. By them 
Hell first was peopled. lAlarms.'] 

K Ferd. Hal Those dismal cries I [Alarms.li 
Again I Again I Hear'st thou th' appalling sounds? 

Nuncio, To thee, dear son, they're harbingers of safety, 
But to thy foes the knell of death. 

K. Ferd. See I See I 

Fnter Ugarte in great terror^ without his Cap or Sword, 

Ugarte, ! Holy Virgin 1 — I— have lost— my breath. — 

Chamorro, You'll find it with your sword and cap. 

K. Ferd. Speak ! Speak I— 

Ugarte. Blood I Blood I None ever saw more desperate 

fight. 
Chamorro, None ever saw more desperate fright. 
K. Ferd. All routed ?— 

Ugarte. Routed I — Murdered. — Poor Father Vinuesa ! 
K. Ferd. What meanest thou, catiff ? 
Ugarte. Fre>re — pursued — 
K. Ferd. I know: — Pursued the rebels. Well! 
Ugarte. Nay I Nay I The guard— that is, Riego— Mina— 

Enter Saez. 

K. Ferd. [To Ugarte."] Away! Away! — 
Ah ! Saez, I fear the worst. 

Saez. Scarce can I credit now the direful scenes ? 
My eyes have seen. Poor Father Vinuesa ! 

K. Ferd Our good confessor— say ! ! What of him I 

Saez. Seized by the infuriate mob, of treasonous plot 
Accused, his sacred office, loyalty, 
And age, marked him for vengeance ; low he lies 
Beneath the spot where but a moment since 
His stifled voice breathed orisons to God. 

K. Ferd. We feel his doom as 'twere our own. Haste, Saez! 
Bid the rash Duke spare further blood, and hither 
Bring back our guard. Haste, Saez ! 

Saez. Would that he might ! 
The impetuous Duke 

K. Ferd. Ha ! Murdered too ? 

Saez, Not slain. 
But snared by wily foes ; their flight a feint 



19 

To hem him in. Fierce Mina fast mows down 
Our ranks, while desperate Riego hither 
Pursues the flying. lAlarms hard by, ] 

K, ierd. Ah I We^re lost ! we're lost ! 

I Saez I In thee, next Heaven, is all my trust. 

{Leans on Saez*"] 

Enter Riego, Morillo, Bangs, and Soldiers, 

Chamorro, Ugarte, the Courtiers, Monks and Ladies escape^ 
crying^ Treason ! Treason ! 

Manent Saez, the Nuncio and Abisbal. , 

Riego. Secure your prisoner. \_To Baftos.'] 

[Riego advances towards the King^ followed by Banos and his 
Soldiers. MoRiLLO and his Soldiers remain behind,'\ 

1st Soldier. Death ! Death to the Tyrant I 

Soldiers. Down ! Down with him ! 

Morillo. Nay! Be that glory mine I [ Advancing. '\ 

K.' Ferd. I save me, good Riego I Spare my life I 

Ruis. He spared not valiant Lacy. 

Ferrer. No ! Nor the high-souled Porlier. Life for life ! 

Soldiers, True I Life for life I [ They advance. ] 

Riego. \Thr owing himself before them. '\ Hold I Hold! 

Ferrer, Never before did that brave bosom shield 
A foe to freedom. 

Morillo, [Advancing.'] By Santiago I Were my Father's 
breast 
Sole pass to Ferdinand's heart, I'd pierce it thro'. 

\_Aims at the King: Riego parries the blow and disarms him,] 

Riego. Thy fault tho' great, Morillo, finds excuse 
In well meant zeal. Spain yet may need thy sword. 

[ Gives Morillo his sword, ] 

Morillo. Morillo' s sword ne'er failed till now, — foiled by 
A friend ! By Hell I It burns to wash away. 
In blood this first disgrace. Had Mina led, 
Our swords e'er now had drained the monster's veins. 

K. Ferd. Talk not of swords ! There is no need ; for now 

1 know my people's wish, and before Heaven 
And them will pledge my royal word to keep 
Their chartered law. 

Several Soldiers. Death to Ferdinand ! 

Riego. Aye 1 Death ; — if such the nation's will. Till that 
Be known, Banos will answer for his life. {Banos bows,] 
Morillo's place to keep the servile bands 
From hence, and intercept the flying guard. 

Ist Soldier, Death 1 Death to bloody Ferdinand ! 



20 

Several Soldiers, Justice I Justice I for Spain. 

Riego, Who here may speak for Spain ? Who rail 
* Gainst tyranny, and yet so well enact 
The tyrant's part? Their will sole arbiter 
Of death or life ? Who talk of justice ; yet 
Would in her sacred seat instate mad vengeance ? 
No I Spaniards ! Tyrant, murderer, as he is, 
Let us not stain our souls with crimes like his, 
And turn to frowns the smiles of Heaven, now gilding 
Our noble cause. [Turns to Morillo.'\ 
Guard well yon entrance. See 
That none approach the King without due passport. 

[To Sae^ and the Nuncio.'] Your holy lives exempt you 
from restraint. 

[To Abisbal.] Thy counsels. Count, and sword have oft 
Maintained our country's need ; they'll not fail her now. 

[Abisbal bows haughtily.] 
Soldiers I Brave Spaniards ! 
Before her Cortes let Spain's faithless King 
Answer her stern impeachment. Not for blood : — 
'Tis for our country's right we draw the sword : 
Remember this, and let your watchword be, 
Spain ! Our befoved Spain ! Redeemed und free I 

[Exeunt Riego^ and Soldiers^ Band playing Riego^s Hymn. Ba- 
nos and Soldiers guard the King to the interior of the 
Palace. Morillo retires sullenly with his soldiers. 

Manent Saez, the Nuncio, Abisbal. 
Saez, conscientious ! Justice-loving traitor ! 

law-revering outlaw I 
Nun, But yet merciful withal, thou wilt confess. 
Saez. The pink of chivalry ! — 

1 laugh to see the valiant rebel marching 
Thus gaily to his doom. 

Nun. Rebels are they 
Who fail ; success makes heroes. 

Saez. He hath failed ! 
Foregone the vantage his rash valor won, 
And left unplucked the fruits of victory. 
Morillo would have rolled the Monarch's head 
Beside his feet, and made rebellion glory. 

Nun. Verily, verily, thine is a land of Quixotes. 
But I must see the King ; he needs some friend 
To cheer his drooping spirits. 

Saez, 'Tis kindly thought. Come Count, come ; 
I would have a word with thee. 

[Exeunt j the Nuncio to the interior of the Palace'^ Saez and 
Abisbal towards the inner passage.] 



21 



Scene II. 

An inner Court of the Palace. MoRiLLO walking to and fro. 
Presently Saez and Abisbal appear behind a projection of the 
wall. 

Morillo. Fool ! Fool ! Was it for this we made him chief? 
To yield the spoils we battled for, — and won ? 
Giving our vanquished foe his forfeit life 
To take our own? Abisbal' s in the right. 
Aye ! I mistook the Leader and the cause : 
Hell take them both I [ WalJcs ow.] 

Saez, Our prize will strike at summons, Count. 

[^ Aside to Abisbal.'] 

Morillo, [Pausing,'] One blow, and all was ours. 
Gone — gone : — 

Power, Riches, Empire, bartered off for glory ! 
A moon-made rainbow ! Hail to the great Deliverer I 
The dauntless chief who curbed Spain^s tyrant king ; 
Then bared his breast to shield that tyrant from 
f^loody Morillo. Yes 1 The blacker they 
Paint me, the brighter he shall shine : and here 
Stand I, much like a fiend in hell, that's damned 
To gaze on angels soaring mid the skies. [Walks on.] 

Sai>ez. Now's your time. [Aside to Abisbal.] 

Abisbal Nay, hark I [Aside to Suez.] 

Morillo. But that his falcon eye met mine, this sword 
Had found a fitter sheath than Ferdinand's breast. 
The Turtle-hearted fool! Why, what care I? 
Let Ferdinand live : 'tis just his hand prepare 
The cup shall recompense his savior's mercy : 
Hell's chaldron can supply no hotter draught. 

Suez. I leave thee, Count, no dubious work. Make sure 
Your grappling. [Aside to Abisbal.] 

Abisbal. As with hooks of steel. [Aside to Saez.] 

Saez. Gold! Gold. [Aside to Abisbal.] 

[Saez retires: Abisbal advances.] 

Morillo. My charge to arrest all friendly to the King. 

Abisbal. From whom ? 

Morillo. [With anger.] From — from the Military Chief. 

Abisbal. Riego? And durst he assigu Morillo 
This catchpole duty ? 

Morillo. 'Sdeath ! But no — thou'rt right ; 
An Alguazil might do such work as well. 

Abisbal. Yet soldiers must obey their seniors, Count. 

Morillo. He's not my senior. Death and Hell 1 Must I 
Whose blood bedewed Columbia's distant plains, 
Crouch to this new fledged hero, who the while, 



22 

Lay nestling in his downy bed. Pass I Pass I 

Abisbal. Kindness to an old friend might cause thee peril. 
Pray take my sword : 'twill win Riego's favor. 

Morillo, Curse on his favor : — curse upon myself, 
That e'er I hearkened to his threadbare cant. 

Abisbal. The King knows well 'tis that poisons thy soul. 
Ah ! Didst thou know his heart, thou'dst be the first 
To free him from the man he most abhors. 

Morillo. Methought Riego was the King's best friend, 
And chiefest favorite. 
Governor, is he not, of all Galicia ? 

Abisbal. He spurns the gift, and now 'tis held for one — 
Wiser and worthier. 

Morillo. Count, could I but think 
Our gracious Sovereign would forgive my madness — 

Abisbal. Then hear it from himself. 

Morillo. I fain would speak 
Of this more fully with your Excellency, — 
In my own quarters : — What say'st thou? 

Abisbal. Willingly. Thy hand. \_Exeunt 

[Saez comes forth meeting the Nuncio.] 

Saez, How seems the fallen Monarch ? 

Nun, Fallen, indeed ! 
The wretch his mother painted him ; without 
One ray of virtue to relieve his blackness. 
The very image of despair and terror. 

iSaez. Yet we must save him, or our fondest hopes 
Be crushed with him beneath his tottering throne. 

Nun. But say, what means, less than miraculous, 
Can Saez find to end his thrall I The means ? 

Saez. Enough I All means that serve the end ; the same 
Which gave our meek society to sway 
The sceptre of the earth, and wield the keys 
Of Heaven. Come Father, come ; your Eminence 
Ere long shall see the mystery solved, and find 
Our barque in trim to meet a fiercer storm. 
The trusty Pilot of the State who sees 
The rising whirlwind in the playful breeze. 
Forewarned, forearmed, his helm serenely guides 
Thro' starless nights, amid tempestuous tides ; 
By hope inspired, beholds beyond the gloom, 
The brightening sky its cheering lights relume ; 
The winds that waked in wrath the mighty deep, 
Soft zephyrs gently fanning it asleep ; 
And its broad face a beaming mirror glow. 
Showing to the Heavens above, a heaven below. 

[^Exeunt, 



23 

ACT THIRD. 
Scene I. 

The Hall of the Cortes » The Cortes in session. Riego, Pres- 
ident near a table on which are books, papers, &c. On one 
side of him the Secretary ; on the other San Miguel. — 
Behind is a throne, on which sits King Ferdinand i7t 
the act of taking the oath, which Riego is tendering, to 
support the Constitution. Over the throne is inscribed Fer- 
nando VII, THE Father of His Country. In front of the 
lower gallery, Sovreignty resides essentially in the Na- 
tion. On slabs in letters of gold the names of Porlier, 
Lacy, Alvarez, Alcevedo, &c. Separate Tribunes are 
occupied by the Queen, the Infants, Officers of Govern^ 
ment, Ambassadors, Spectators, &c. 

K, Ferd. And if in aught I act counter to what 
Vyq sworn, let my commands be disobeyed 
And held for naught. 

Eiego. This thou swearest — by God 
And His most holy Gospel. 

K. Ferd. I do : and may 
That God so help me as I keep my oath. [Kisses the Book, ] 

[ Cries of ^ ' Long live the Constitutional King. Long live 
the free Nation.^ ^ 
Senors ! Believe me on a monarch's word, 
Your cheering voices fill my heart with joy : 
Much too I thank you, for the kind concern 
Prompts ye to wish I should leave Madrid. 
Briefly on that I would consult my council, 
And give anon an answer shall content ye. 

Riego. Your Majesty, may not the Cortes trust, 
In this as all things else, will counsel take 
From Spaniards true to Spain ? Thus will her King 
Compass her welfare, and secure a gem 
More brilliant than the eye of Brama's God — 
A Nation's Love. 

[The King bows, and preceded by the Queen, <Scc., retires, 
amid cries as before. He is met by Saez. The rod is re- 
placed, and the deputies resume their hats and seats,'\ 

[To San Miguel.'] Your Excellency will please resume. 

San Miguel, [reads.] We come as friends, to save you 
from the pestilence that ravages Spain, and taints with poison- 
ous breath the air of France. — [a laugh.] — To re-build your 
altars — to re-establish order, justice and peace. Believe the 
word of a Bourbon— [o, loud laugh.] 



24 

Ruis \_Aside to Ferrer.'] A Bourbon's word I Why 'tis 
as good as his oath. 

Ferrer. Aye, in France. In Spain when one doth coin an 
incredible lie, 'this called — a Bourbon. 

[RiEGo rings the hell.] 

San Miguel. [Reads.] A faction rules your land — 

Several Members. That's true I True I True ! 

San Miguel. [Reads.] Spaniards! France wars not with 
Spain. [Laughter and murmurs.] Sprung from the Bour- 
bon blood I come to free your captive monarch', and 
rescue Spain from slavery. [A laugh.] That done we 
seek again our homes, proud to have restored your happiness 
and honor, Louis Antoine. 

Mego. Senors ! Ye've heard the high behests of France. 
Disclaiming war, already she hath forced 
Bidassoa's neutral stream, and plants her foot 
Upon the neck of Spain. Like hungry wolves 
Adown the Pyrenees her legions rush 
Upon our plains, eager for Spanish blood. 
A second Bourbon comes to give us law ; 
What honest heart but burns with shame to view 
A hostile banner flaunting o'er the land 
That gave him birth ! Shame I Tenfold shame 
On France I whose giddy sons erst seizing Freedom's 
Torch, fired her holy temple, and would now. 
Reversing God's great law, wrap th' earth in darkness. 
Must Spaniards quaff this cup of infamy? 
Submit to a foreign yoke, — the slaves of slaves — 
Or will they not, forgetting private griefs. 
Brother with brother linked, in his own blood 
Blot out the footsteps of the foe, and teach 
The meddling Graul, Spain needs no foreign hand, — 
And least of all a Bourbon's — to maintain 
Her freedom or her honor f [Applause.] 

[Cries of death to AngouUme! Death to the Bourbons I 
The President rings. ] 

Abisbal. Senors ! A hundred thousand bayonets gleam 
o'er Spain ; 
Is war a pastime, think ye, to be played 
'Gainst numbers thrice our own? 
Galiano. Who stops to count 
His country's foes? Were all who murmur true, 

[Eyes Abisbal] 
These skipping Gauls would show the morning sun 



25 

Their homeward tracks upon the mountain snows. 

[Sev. Voices, Truey Galianoytrue!'} 

Abis. Abisbal's honor 
Questioned, here or elsewhere, finds a ready voucher. 

[^Touches his sword.l 

Gal. The recreant sword, which leaps not forth to meet 
Our country's foes, will never daunt her friends. 

Riego. [Rings,] SenorsI Noplace is this for broils ; 
Nor field for swords. Your answer to the Duke. 

Euis, What need of answer ? Rather let us tear 
The canting manifesto into shreds I 
Then trample it beneath our feet — full in 
His envoy's face — and send him back to tell 
His master. [Cheei^s.'] 

Ferrer. Nay, best use the trashy stuff 
As wadding for our cannon, and so make 
It carry its own answer ; it will go 
The quicker. [Cheers.] 

Sev. Voices. Good I Good! Right 1 Ferrer! Right 1 

Abis. Senors, this is no time for jests. 
Nor will these air-gun pellets fright the French. 

Ballesteros. The Duke still proffers peace : why spurn 
his friendship? 
Why doubt his royal word ? 

Arguelles. I fear, my friends, 
Ye're rash with our good King's good Cousin and Brother. 
Hath he not led his Cordon Sanitaire 
Across our snowy barrier, here, — into 
The very midst of pestilence, — to fright 
It off with guns and trumpets ? [A laugh. ] 
How doubt a Bourbon's word, who know them all 
Mirrors of Truth and Honor ? Mark ye ; France 
Wars not with Spain — Why, no I She doth but send 
Her hundred thousand bayonets to ensure 
Our peace : her hundred thousand slaves to teach us 
Freedom. Aye! She would rescue Spain from — Spaniards, — 
And give her to the care of Gauls and Calmucks. 
But why this vile hypocrisy expose ? 
'Tis Liberty, my friends! that, that's the pest 
These holy allies dread — what tyrant doth not? 
Yet,* spite of open foe and prudent friends, 

[Eyeing Abisbal. 
Spain shall be free. Let the proud Bourbon come ! 
When France appeals to her crusading Saint, 
Spain shall invoke her God — ^^the God of Justice — 
\Vho crowned her arms at Roncesvaux and Quentin. 

[Loud cheers from the Liberals. Several members of the 
King^s parti/ rise to speak.'] 



26 



Enter a messenger closely followed hy Saez, who stops near 
the entry and beckons Abisbal. They converse apart. 
The messenger hands a packet to Riego, who reads it 
with intense interest^ while Arguelles is speaking. 

Messenger. From Don Francisco Mina. [Exit.'\ 

Riego. SeSor, proceed. 

Arguelles. Shall I then paint our country as she is ! 
Rent by intestine feuds, while, blasting sight ! 
Outlaws, numerous as the sands of ocean, 
Invade her Old Dominion, trampling dop^n 
Her flag, the dread of tyrants, and would fasten 
On her, bitterest curse that e'er befel 
A people, — foreign rule. 

Loud murmurs: Death to AngouUme I Down with the Bour- 
bons ! The President rings. 

Enter a Messenger, who hands a paper to the Secretary j and 

[Exit. 
Secretary. A message from the King. 
Riego. The Royal message takes precedence. 

Secretary. [Reads.'] Semrs: I have weighed yovr rea- 
sons for my leaving Madrid. My health, my conscience 
and the love I hear my people forbid me to comply. Of aught 
else Iwould confer, if need there be, through trusty Saez. 

I THE King. [Great murmurs.] 

Several Members, A fetch I A trick ! 

Ferrer. The King's old malady ; 'tis named The Gallo- 
mania* 

Galiano. 'Tis madness. The Charter doth provide a cure, 
and that I now propose. [Hands a paper.] 

Secretary. [Reads.] Sen or Galiano proposes That the 
King be declared in a state of moral disability, and hit func- 
tions devolved on a regency. 

Many Voices. Agreed I A Regency I A Regency ! 

Riego. Senors, let not our Ruler's mad caprice 
Drive us to rash resolves. Let Ferdinand 
Be cited to the Nation's Hall to justify 
His ill-advised defiance of their wish. 

Abisbal. Say he disdains your summons, but would freely 
Speak his mind thro' Saez, his favored servant. 

Many Voices. No ! No ! 

Ruis. We want no Jesuit Pleader here 
To varnish guilt with Holy Oil. Let Ferdinand 
Speak for himself. 

Abisbal What traitor dare stand forth, 
To charge his lawful Prince with aught for which 
His facetious subjects may call him to account? 



27 



RiEGO descends from the chair which is taken by Gexer. 

Riego. If truth be treason, mark me down a traitor : 
And be my head the first upon the block. [Great applause.l 
A Turk, — a knouted Russ, — would blush to own 
The creed our Ruler and his serfs pronrulge. 
Not obsolete, thank Heaven, the lessons they 
Deride. Still — from above — the Thunderer sounds 
His awful edict — blood for blood — and Earth 
Responds. England struck off a Stuart's head, 
And France a Bourbon's ; yet were Charles and Louis 
Patterns of excellence compared with one — 

Seroiles. Treason ! Treason ! 

Liberals. Hear him I Hear him ! 

Riego, A Monster — [Great confusion ] Ge^er rings,^ 
A heartless, faithless, bloody Monster — 

[cries of Treason ! Treason !] 
Whose guiltier heart invokes a foreign foe 
To make her lovely plains one sea of blood. 

[ Cries of Treason ! Order ! Name him ! Gener rings violently. 1 

Riego. I paint a wretch without a soul : Let him 
Who will, find out the likeness. 
Saez. Name him ; — name him : 

Riego. His name doth stare thee in the face. [Points to 
inscription. Great confusion : cries of Treason I Brave 
Riego ! 

Gener. [Rings.'] Senors,'this tumult must not be allowed. 
Members will take their seats. [All sit.] 

Abisbal. Nay, let the storm howl on. 
Invectives must not pass for proof. 
Your proofs ; your proofs ! 

Riego. And stunning proofs they are. 

[Holds up the packet. ] 

Liberals. Hear ! Hear Riego ! 

Riego. ■ Say rather hear the witness Providence 
Hath sent, to vouch a treachery well nigh 
Passing belief; to tell us of a King, 
A Spanish King who would betray his country 
To invading enemies. 

Abisbal. And who shall vouch the voucher ? 

Reigo. The King's sign manual ; the attesting seals 
See ! Of Don Victor Saez, and Louis Antoine. 
Senors, you'll bear me witness, that s"* far 
'Midst Ferdinand's worst excesses, I have upheld 
His throne's just powers : he leaves us now no choice. 
My friend was right ; a moral impotence 



28 

Unfits the King to wield the Nation's sceptre. 
He must be unkinged, or Spain must fall. 

[Great applause, 
[RiEGO resumes the chair. 1 
Riego, Senors I Debate is closed. The question is 
Shall a Regency preside o'er Spain ? Your votes. — 
All who concur say Aye ! [Many ayes.'] Those who disagree, 
say No I [A few noes. ] 
'Tis carried. Valdes, Ciscar, Vigodet, 
Will form the Regency. 
The Cortes stands dissolved. 

[The deputies disperse. Confused cries in the streets of ^^Live 
the Regency V^ ^^Long live Riego /" Presently ''''Live 
the King V * < The absolute King V ' 

Riego is met by Mina at the door, watched by Saez. Shouts 
continue^ ^^ Long live the King P' 

Mina. Hark! Hear ye that, my friend? The King grows 
strong, 
With every league the Duke gains on Madrid. ' 

[ Shou;ts without. * * The Inquisition /' * ^ * The absolute King V 

' ' Death to Riego ! " ' 'Death to the Nation I 
Ha I Hearken to thy doom and Spain's. 

Riego, Truly, my friend, all dark appears her doom 
And ours. Yet may her valiant sons and yon 
Fast gathering storm confound her legions 
And usher in the dawn of her deliverance. 
Or else, my friend, a happier lot be ours, 
With her to perish rather than survive 
Her degradation. Let us to our posts. 
Diaz shall give you notice of my march. 
Mina. My eager Narvarresse our promise claim 
To meet half way the nimble-footed apes 
Who have already scaled the Guadarrama. 

Riego. At break of day we meet near Alcovendas : 
And ere a second dawn shall brighten up 
Old Baitrago's brow, haply may give 
Our loving guests such greeting as shall honor 
Spanish hearts. [Takes Mina's arm and exeunt. 

Scene II. 
A Hall in the Palace, Enter King Ferdinand, and Cham- 
ORRO bearing the crown and robes. They are met by 
Monks, Ladies, Courtiers, &c. 

All. God save your Majesty ! Long live our King I 
Ugarte, Heaven gives thee back in safety to thy throne. 



29 

K, Ferd. Safe ! Say victorious : all Madrid did greet 
Our triumph. Heard ye not the shouts ? 

Isi Courtier. No voice did cheer more loudly than my own. 

2d Courtier. Heard yet not one above the rest, Long live 
Our King*? 'Twas mine. 

Second Monk. Spain'' s absolute King ! Death to the Na- 
tion 1 Such My shout which drowned the rest. 

Ugarte, But soon was lost 
When in yet louder tones, Down with the Charter! 
Death to Riego. f thundered from my lips. 
And straight was echoed by a thousand tongues. 

Cham. Don Pedro spied ye all, amid the crowd 
Burrowing like mice, 'till sudden rose the cry, 
Riego comes! and then ye scampered off. 
Pshaw I God ne'er made Grandees nor Monks for soldiers. 

K. Ferd. [laughs'] I hear the rebel dogs talked saucily. 
Chains, dungeons, scaffolds — 

Cham. Right! Right! 

K. Ferd. Right I— Art mad ? 

Cham. 'Twas right! For then Don Pedro had been King. 

K. Ferd. [Lauuhs heartdy.] God keep your Majesty. 

Cham. Would Majesty become the crown and robes, 
Let him take patern from Don Pedro. 

[All laugh. ] 
Enter Saez and the Nuncio. 

Saez. God keep your Majesty a thousand years ! 

Nunc*o. Thy cheerful looks rejoice our hearts. 

K. Ferd. Thanko ; and welcome to ye both. 

Nuncio Good Saez and I have much to excuse this rude 
intrusion. Speak, Saez. 

Saez. This night the rebels meditate a daring plot — 

K. Ferd. [Alarmed.] To-night 1 This dismal night! 

Saez. Their purpose to surprise the Duke- 
A moment since th*iy were about to leave their camp. 

K. Ferd. Ah I then the rebel dogs will quit Madrid — 
But say — this way they take their march. Again 
To seize our person. Ha I This open hall invites attack. 

Ugarte. The hold within the town were far more safe. 

Alarms without. Riego ! Riego ! 

Cham. [Runs to the door.] Hear that! Hear that! The 
cry is, ^^ Riego comes.^^ 
K. Ferd. The tower ! the tower I 

[Hefl'es ; the rest follow. 

Cham. [Laughs.] Ha I Hal — A gallant leader and a 
valiant troop. 

[Struts out with the crown hnd ro&cs. 



80 



Scene III. 

The country near Madrid ; on one side a Sentinel on guards 
on the other ^ in the background, the Pavilion and Camp of 
Ballesteros. 

Enter Abisbal from the Pavilion ; he meets Morillo. Mina, 
unperceived by them, adoances in disguise and enters the 
Pavilion. 

Morillo. What says Ballasteros ? 

Abisbal. ! Full of scruples ; talks of reputation — old 
friendships — and such stuff. 

Morillo. He's a poor devil ! He will not join us ? 

Abisbal. No ; but hath pledged his word not to aid Riego. 

Morillo. That's much. A half-way villain ! He will not 
cut his friends' throats, but will stand by and see it done. 
That fellow, Abisbal, would rifle a , hen-roost, but fear to rob 
a church : forfeit Heaven, and yet not grasp enough to buy 
two masses for his soul. For me, I had as lief be damned 
for doubloons as for coppers. But come, our time is short. 
Honest Ballesteros ! Pah ! \_Exeunt, 

Enter from the Pavilion Mina and Ballesteros. 

Mina. 'Tis not too late : I beg thee, Ballesteros, 
Blast not our hopes— and thy own honest name. 

Balles. My dear Mina, 'tis a hopeless cause. 

Mina. Let us then not survive it in disgrace. 

Balles. Thou hast done enough for Honor and for Spain ; 
Let me now make thy peace, and save a friend 
Loved as a brother. 

Mina. Peace with my country's enemies ? 
With her apostate sons ? Never ! He were 
No friend would urge it ; nor could I be his. 

Balles. Then here we part. Would — from my soul — 
'twere otherwise. 

Mina. Thou wilt have it so. 

Balles May it not be as friends ? [Offers his hand."] 

Mina. The hand that's given to the foes of Freedom grasps 
Not mine. From this dark houf a gulf divides us; 
Heaven teach us to forget we once were friends. 

[Exeunt opposite ways. 

Scene IV. 

A room in Riego's house. Enter Diaz dressed in a military 
suit ; admiring his sword : presently enter Riego. 

Eiego. Dost prize that sword ? 
Diaz. Senor, as my life : 



31 

Oft ere to-day my tongue hath burned to ask it. 
A true Toledo ? 

Riego, So th> father proved it. 

Mina. Dear, dear remembrancer! ^Kisses if] that daily 
shalt 
Remind me of his wrongs, and aid me to avenge them. 

[A tearfafls on the blade.} 
Here seems an ugly stain. I'll rub it off. \_Bubs it] 
Riego, Our soldiers now are furbishing their arms •* 
Bid Roque help thee brighten thine. 
Diaz, I will, I will. 

\_Exit Diaz. Riego looks earnestly afte^ him.] 

Riego. How like his father in the flower of youth, 
When like a felon dragged to shameful death — 

[J. shriek within : presently enter Dona Theresa in great af- 
frght as though pursued. A lamp in her hand still smo- 
king.] 

Bona The. Off! Off! Away ! Ah I Now I am safe. 

[Extends her arms to Riego, who supports her. 

Riego. What thus 
Alarms thee, Love ? Say ! Speak I 

Dona The. I saw him plainly — 
Plainly as I now see thee. 

Riego. Whom? Saw' st whom? 

Dona The. Twice, twice ! once in my slumber, — if indeed 
I slept ; and, if I sleep not still, — but now. 

Riego. Thou'rt much disturbed: thy heart still tosses 
wildly. 

Dofia The. The swell of the by-gone tempest: soon 'twill 
cease. 
In this its happy haven. Ah ! a moment — 
I heard — or thought I heard — a well known voice 
Gently repeat my name. Methought I woke : — 
And straight before me stood the Marque sito — 

Riego. The Marquesito? — 

Dona The. Aye ! Thy murdered friend. 
So much himself he looked ; so mildly spake ; 
I felt no fear. I come, said he, Theresa, 
To warn thee of thy husband'' s danger. Haste ! 
Entreat him to delay his perilous schemes : 
Else may my fate be his. Saying this, 
He waved his hand and disappeared. Ah then — 

Riego. Come I Be thyself. I fear thou art not well. 

Dofta The. I know thy thought : 
Am I Theresa ? Art thou not Riego ? 
Hear all ; then say if thou deem'st me crazed. 



32 

By this sad vision roused at dead of night — 
Thou absent still — fearing to stir, yet more 
Afraid to stay — I fled my lonely chamber, 
And at the door, with open eyes, beheld 
The self same figure haunted me in sleep. 
He wore the dress that graced his youthlike form 
That day he marched for Santiago, leaving 
His sad Josefa and his precious Diaz, 
Never to see them more. He passed me by 
As though he knew me not, his eye intently 
Fixed on his naked sword. I ran ; I flew, — 
My lamp extinguished, — and in fancy heard 
His steps fast following mine. My brain indeed 
Is crazed, or else it was my noble kinsman ; 
'Twas Porlier's self. 

Riego. It was ; — [She starts'] his second self; 
The living Porlier , — in form and feature, aye 
In every noble attribute of soul. 
The image of his sire. 'Twas him thou met'st, 
Wearing his father's sword and dress, by me 
Till now, a sacred trust, for him reserved. 

Dona The. Had I but known of this ! Dolt that I was, 
My fancy dwelt alone on mardered Porlier: — 
The man, the warrior chief. Forgive my weakness. 

Riego. Nay, Love, we scarce can deem it an illusion. 
Still let us think 'twas our departed friend, 
Surviving in his son to avenge his country's 
Injuries and his own. 

Dona The. [Sighing deeply ] A thorny path 
I fear must yet be trod by him and thee. 
Ah ! My Riego ! Say ! Should evil chance 
Be thine, whrt refuge for lost Theresa ? 

Riego, Come ! Come ! Banish the groundless terrors night 
Hath conjured up when all should glow with hope 
And happiness. Shall I recount our blessings ? 

Dona The. Ah! Grant them all our hearts could ask : — 
of what 
Are we assured but their loss? \_A knock.'] Hark ! Hark ! 
What can this dreadful summons mean ? 

Enter Roque who hands a sealed to Riego. 

Riego, \_Aside.] FromMinal [reads H.] 
Roque, my sword : — acd thine : meet me in the Hall. 

[Roque hows^ and exit.] 

Dona The. Thou'lt not go forth to-night? — 'Tis late and 

stormy. 
R ego, A call no Spaniard may refuse. 
Ere the day dawn perchance I may return. 



33 

Dona The. Perchance -^ [Sighs. ^ Faithful Old Roque will 

be with thee ? 
Riego. He shall v — Seek thou our chamber, Love t sweet 
rest, 
And happier dreams attend thy couch. Good night. 

[^Embraces her ^ and exit'] 
Do%a The. When, when shall happy dreams again be 
mine ? 
We mark the flowing current of oiir thoughts, 
But may as easily check the mountain flood. 
Ah me I That warning voice I That warning voice I 
Reason may hold our terrors vain : yet Fear 
ermasters Reason, and still shakes our hearts. 
Ah I What is Reason but a faithless guide, 
The slave of Fancy, and the child of Pride ; 
Who boldly leads us on to Danger's gate. 
Then like a coward flies, and leaves us to our fate. {Exit. 



ACT FOURTH. 

Scene L 

The Country near Madrid, On one side a Sentmel on guard. 
In the background the Camp of Mina. 

Enter Diaz hastily. 

Sentinel. Who goes there ? Standi The watchword? 
Diaz. Arcos and Cahezas. Is Mina still in camp ? 
Sentinel. Just on the move ; I may now leave my post. 

\^Exeunt, 



Scene II. 

A Banqueting Hall in the Palace; King Ferdinand, Saez, and 

the Nuncio, at a table with wine^ papers^ dec., looking over 

a map. Chamorro at a side-table. 

K. Ferd. It seems a miracle. {^Points to the map.'] 

Saez. Two centuries Spain withstood the power of Rome — 

K. Ferd. I know ; and foiled Great Caesar Africanus. 

Cham. By Saint Dominic I That Caesar Capricornus lived 
to a marvelous good old age. 

Saez. — In two short weeks Louis Antoine speeds like 
An arrow through the heart of Spain. ^ 

Cham. Like Cupid s arrow, free from ugly stain. 

Nuncio. — But yesterday in Paris — to-morrow in Madrid. 

Saez. — Without one drop of Spanish blood to tinge 
The snowy plumes adorn his brow. 

K. Ferd. The more the miracle. 

Nun. The greater too the glory. 

K. Ferd. I vow our Cousin of Angouleme should rank 
Among the greatest captains of the earth : — 
Superior to Napoleon. 

Nun. Oh ! Incomparably. 

Cham. Nap was a bloody dog ; our Cousin was wise 
To bring a hundred thousand men 
And catch the rebels as it were asleep. 

Nun. — A Christian conqueror ; 
May God a thousand, thousand years preserve 
The champion of His Church, and Spain's old throne — 

K. Ferd. With all my heart I pledge thee. 

Cham. Right; right — Nap was no christian. He would 
fight against odds — one to ten — our wiser Cousin, never with 
less than ten to one. Don Pedro drinks, The Bloodless Con- 
queror I 

[ Tragala sung 7iear the Palace. 



35 

K, Ferd, lSighing,'\ This scoffing serenade 
Comes as a blast to chill my soul. 
It spoils our mirthful banquet, mocking loud 
The storm's ill-boding voice, and war's dread thunders I 
Ah ! think ! The valiant Duke, our only hope, this night 
May fall, struck down by ambushed rebels I 

tSaez, A swifter fate shall cut the plotters ofiF. 

K. Ferd, But say the wild French legions catch from ours 
The foul infection Spain first caught from France — 
Hungering for Bourbon blood ! 

"^aez. The God that sends 
Those legions forth to rescue thee, hath filled 
Their hearts with zeal ! Faith too is theirs, 
All conquering Faith. The Bourbon prophecy 
Is now fullfiled ! Henceforth there no are Pyrenees. 
Yes ! Yes I Eternal justice hath ordained 
That France, regenerate France, out of whose cup 
Nations have drunken and are mad, shall fly 
O'er Spain with healing in her wings, to cure 
The frenzy she hath caused. 

Nuncio, Ah I Saez ! The dream I 
Thy golden dream I Hail ever blessed Mary ! 

All. Hail Blessed Mary ! 

K. Ferd. That happy thought was rising in my mind ; 
Our son shall hear his vows, his foes confound, 
And bless h>m with a long and prosperous reign. 
Visions more strange* than this have come to pass. 

Sjez. Who doubts that Heaven in dreams reveals its will 
Doubts Holy Writ. Who says — I will dream to-night, 
ril dream of this or that ; or Lo ! I dream ? 
Uncalled by us, when all our mortal faculties 
Lie quelled by Sleep's brief death, the Angelic Hosts, 
Evil or good, hover around our couch 
And hold free converse with our kindred spirits. 
Can man create nesv worlds, fill them with strange 
And ever changing shapes, now fair as angels, 
Anon more monstrous, and uncouth than e'er 
His eye beheld? Is it of our mere will 
We rove thro' boundless regions, veering swift 
To every point marked down in Time's old compass? 
'Past, present, future ? Live in one short moment 
Ages of misery or bliss? Behold, 
Youth's sunny brow blanched o'er with sudden snows, 
And Age rejoicing in his auburn locks ? 
Bring back the absent and the dead, and moved 
At their discourse, responsive laugh and weep 
As tho' they stood beside us? ."^o, no— 'tis 
The handiwork of God. 



36 

JST. Ferd^ It must be as thou sayest : the golden dream 

will be fulfilled. 

AIL Hail blessed Mary 1 

Saez, ^ I go, and trust ere morn to bring thee tidings 
Even brighter than our hopes. 

K, Ferd, Go, go j good Saez.. Exit Sakz. 

Never with truer friend was monarch blest : 
Not my own mother loved me more. 

Cham. Don Pedro knows that. 

K, Ferd. We'll drink his health. 

Nunc. Heaven, many years preserve thy good Confessor I 

Cham. Good Confessor. All one as say good Satan. 

K. Ferd. Health, health to Saez 1 
Henceforth Prime Minister of Spain. [All drink.'\ 

Cham. Over Don Pedro's head. I'll join the church. 

Nunc. That thought was prompted from above. 

Cham. That's a mistake ; 'twas prompted from — [Foirds 
downwards^'] there : by good Father Satan — thro' good Father 
Saez. Yes, I'll join the church: that's the road in Spain for 
saint or sinner, who seek the precious things of Heaven, and 
would gather as they go the choicest fruits of earth. Yes, 
yes : I'll be a Monk ; Father Pedro : Good Father Pedro — 

K. Ferd. What mutterest, Chamorro ? 

Cham. Don Pedro said Majesty was right : Good Father 
Saez should be our Minister of State. Were he to say to me, 
Don Pedro thou shalt be a Duke, the coronet would be on my 
head to-morrow. [King and Nuncio laugh.~\ He knows all 
that passes here on earth; and there, [Points downwards,'] 
and well he may : for they have been seen together. 

K. Ferd. Who 1 Saez and — 

Cham. — And — [Pointshelow,'] It's a true story ; true as — as 
Don Victor's dream. Yes, it's all in print: a first rate mel- 
low-dram. 'Tis called. The Devil in Ambush, or The Monk 
and The Maiden. See I [Takes it from his pocket.] Here 
it is. [Reads.] Scene the first. The Royal confessional : Dona 
Carlota at the Lattice — 

K, Ferd. Carlota? Ah I Your Eminence, she hath an eye 
bright as this Burgundy. Well ? Well ?— 

Cham. Don Victor on his knees before Dona Carlota — Sa- 
tan hard by: — [King and Nuncio laugh.] 

Re- Enter Saez. 

Nun, [Aside to the King.] In time to mar our jest. 
K. Ferd. Ah I Saez I Thy name's still on our lips. 
Cham, Don Pedro and Majesty spoke of Satan — and — 
thou knowest the proverb — 
Saez, Peace I Triflerl Offl [Bows smiling to the King.] 



37 

K, Ferd. Go, good Chamorro ; we'll have thy jest another 
time. 

Cham, Take care, Majesty! T smell sulphur. 

\_Exit holding Ms nose, 

Scmz, IBowing again.} Might I without offence, dare 
speak my thougkt ? 

K, Ferd, Thy thoughts are ever kind — ^Pray speak them 
freely. 

Saez, Then I would say, dismiss that vulgar Moor. 
Thy subjects deem it ill becomes their King 
To make so low a creature his associate — 

K, Ferd. What, what? Audacious medlers I No, no^ Saez, 
In State concerns, when perils beset the throne. 
Thou, thou alone shalt be my friend and guide. 
But when Chamorro doffs my Crown and Kobes, 
His merry jests beguile else tedious hours — 
Nor would I change them for King Solomon's proverbs.. 
No more of this. Thy tidings from the war? 

Saez. All we could ask. Mina outflanked — the corps 
Of Isla, headed by Riego, hemmed 
Around by Bessieres and Morrillo — 

K. Ferd. [Laughs.'] Bessieres — the Barcelona Rebel ? 

Saez. Our fire-new convert ; now a very Dominic, 
With burning zeal to scourge the sins he shared. 
Warned of Riego' s march they struck their tents. 
And reckless of the storm press on to meet them. 

K. Ferd. 'Twixt Bessieres and Morillo. 

Saez. The morrow dawns upon his ruin. 

K. Ferd. Bring that to pass, and our Prime Minister 
Shall don the scarlet cap, tho' it may ©ost 
The brightest jewel of my crown. Thinks not. 
Your Eminence, he would become it well ? 

Nun. Aye ; and as well Saint Peter's chair. 

K. Ferd. 'Twas wise to set the rebel dogs of France 
And Spain to cut each other's throats. But come, 
Your Eminence must need repose. For me, 
Impatient for the dawn, I seek my couch 5 
Not for dull sleep, but joy -inspiring thought 
Brighter than brightest vision ever brought. 

[^Exeunt. 



38 

Scene III. 

Between the Camps of Riego and Mina. 

Distant Thunder and Lightning : Noise of a Combat hard 
by: Voices within: ^' Surrender P^ ^^ Seize him T^ ^^ Seize 
himV^ Combat continues. Voices again, '^ Our Ser- 
geanVs slain V^ 

Enter Mina and Diaz, both wounded ; Mina assisting Diaz. 

Mina. Aye I Tell your Duke his Sergeant's sent as Envoy 
To Hell's Legitimate. Thou'rt badly hurt. 

Diaz, I fain would rest — a moment. 

Mina. Do, do 5 meanwhile I'll stanch this blood: sit here. 

Diaz. First let me bind thy arm. 

Mina. A scratch, a scratch. [^Takes Diaz' s handkerchief ."l 

Diaz. That dog fought bravely. 

Mina. By Saint lago I 
Had his vile comrades stood as well, we had 
Been stretched beside him. Faith, an ugly gash! 

{^Distant cannonading.^ 

Both. Hark ! Hark ! 

Mina. Ah, Boy ; this night brews fiercer tempests 
On the earth than in the air — [^Cannonading continues.'] 

Diaz. Again, again ! 
'Tis from the rearward of our camp I 

Mina. Morillo ! — 
By all that's treacherous ! for a bolt 
Of Heaven's own thunder that should hurl him down 
To his native pit. In yonder cot thou' It find 
A shelter till the storm goes by. Meantime 
I'll make a circuit round the renegade, 
To cut him off. Farewell ; we meet again. [Exit. 

Diaz. Fly, fly, good Mina! 0, Heavenly Father, 
Thou send'st the scathing storm ; but thou art just. 
Come weal, come woe, in Thee, in Thee my trust. 

[Exit in great pain. 

Scene IV. 

The Country near Madrid^ between the Field of Battle and 
the Garden of Buen Retiro : a Cottage on one side, with 
high palings : at the door a Boy on the watch. Presently 
voices without, crying '' No quarter P^ '' This way T^ '^ No 
quarter /' ' 

Boy. Brother I B^'other ! They are coming. 

Voices within the Cottage. ' ^ Farewell ! " ^ ' God bless you I ' ' 



m 



Enter from the Cottage a Soldier, followed by an old Peasant 

Soldier, Farewell, Juan 1 [^Kisses the Boy.'] 

Boy, Good bye, Carlos. 

Old Peasant, Grod protect and bless thee, my son. 

\_Ilxit Soldier hastily behind the cottage. 

Enter the Trappist and Monks with Swords and Pistol Belts ;. 
Shakos on their Heads ; Beads and Crucifixes round their 
Necks — crying ''No quarter T' No quarter T^ Ugarte m 
the rear conversing with a Monk. 

The Trappist, ITo an Officer.] Search yon cottage. 

Ugavte. [Aside to the Monk.] Art sure 'twas Porlier's 
spirit?— 

Monk. Sure as you are a living soul — I saw him hanged — 

Ugarte. He'll know me : I guarded him at Santiago — 

Monk. He came this very path. We 11 be sure to meet him. 

Ugarte, [Shuddering,] The Virgin forbid I 

Officer. [Returning.] No soldiers there. 

The Trappist. On I Soldiers of the Faith I We fight for 
our altars and our King. Lay on, and spare not. Remem- 
ber ; the blood of Heretics and Rebels nourisheth the Church ; 
and hath a sweet savor in the nostrils of the Godly. On I On I 
[Exeunt all except Ugarte, crying ''No quarter,^ ^ 

Ugarte, It's downright rash to be hunting up enemies in 
the dark. I'll beg for quarters, and so keep clear of the 
spirit. [Advances towards the Cottage Gate. ] 

Enter Diaz, much exhausted, 

Ugarte, Ha I— The Marquesito ! 

[Runs in terror to the Pales,] 

Diaz. Hold I Else will I stay thy flight. 

Ugarte, Pray I Good Senor ! — Spare me ! 

/Jiaz, Show me Holy Inn — and I will not harm thee. 

Ugarte [Aside.] Holy Virgin! A fetch to get me in his 
power! [Aloud.] Aye! Senor; [come. [Gets nearer the 
Pales.] 0! Good Senor Porlier! 

Viaz. Thou knowest me, then !— 

Ugarte, Aye ! Noble Marquiseto ! — When I kept your cell 
at Santiago, was I not kind ? [Makes his escape,] 

Diaz, Conscience-goaded wretch ! 

[Knocks at the Gate.] 

Old Peasant^ [Within the Cottage.] Who's there? 

Diaz. A wearied soldier. 

Old Peasant. Of Spain, or France? 

Diaz, A Spaniard; and foe to the foes of Spain. / 



40 

Old Peasant, [Coming forth.] Enter, Sen or, and freely 
an old Castilian's hut. 

jpiaz. Thanks I — but I must on, and need thy friendly 
guidance. 

Old Peasant. Whither bound ? 

Diaz. To the camp of Don Rafael. 

Old Peasant. Ah ! Senor : Thy comrades thou wilt find 
where thou leftst them : — never to stir again. 

Diaz. Merciful God ! — What reason for the horrid thought? 

Old Peasant. My Carlos stopped but to say that all were 
slaughtered, save a few now hunted by the Trappist and his 
Franco- Spaniards: Servants of Satan — dressed in the livery 
of God to do deeds of darkness. 

Diaz, But — Don Rafael I — Say — 

Old Peasant. Fallen, — Carlos doubts not — on the field. 

Diaz, I must have surer proof: point me my nearest 
course. 

Old Peasant. This way. 

[Exeunt, 

Scene V. 

A path near Buen Retiro, Enter two French Officers 
conversing, 

\st Officer. Battle ! No : a midnight massacre, by cowards 
in ambush. We have made common cause with slaves and 
bigots, and are like to earn the fame of butchers. 

2d Officer, Soldiers must fight, nor ask the why or where- 
fore. 

Enter Diaz, unperceived hy them, 

\st Officer. That Riego was a noble fellow. [Going.~\ 

2d Officer. Brave as Caesar — but rash — 

Diaz, Stay, Senors I If ye know aught of Riego' s fate — 
pray tell a friend. 

2d Officer. Ah!— A young Rebel! Shall I not cut him 
down ? [Raising his sword. ] 

1st Officer. No, Pierre! By Heaven thou shalt not. Thy 
friend hath fallen. We saw the peasant who stripped his 
body. 

Diaz, I thank thee, Senor, for thy sad tidings. [ To 2d 
Officer, "] Strike now ! and thou shalt have tke Rebel's thanks, 
and win favor from the wretch thou servest. 

2d Officer, [Offers to strike.'] Down then — 

1st Officer, [Interposes.] Brother! — Pierre! — Thou shalt 
not bring this spot upon the name our father left us. 

[Forces him off. 

Diaz, Is Death too blest a boon for me ? Father! 
Give me to reach Riego' s honored corse 



41 

Enter Riego, in a Peasants Dress ; Ms head bandaged. 

And rest with him — in peace. [Attempts to walk.'] 

Riego, [^Aside.] I'd hear that voice again : Say, friend, 
Canst guide me to the camp of Mina? 

Diaz, He struck his tents at midnight. 

Riego. 'Tis Diaz I [^Hastens to and embraces Mm.'] 

Diaz. SeSor ! Senor I — Can it be ? — 

Riego. What ! Wounded, Boy I 

Diaz. This bandage hides, I fear, a wound more painful. 

Riego. Diaz, my hurt is here : cut to the soul. 

Diaz. Ah 1 Let me share thy griefs : — My comrades ! say 
Who live?— Who fell?— 

Riego. Thou' It shudder at the tale 
Brief tho' it be, of perfidy and horror. 
Our secret plans were whispered to the foe 
By some bribed traitor. In our midnight march 
Sudden as thought, half my vanguard fell. 
In deadly ambuscade, myself among them. 
Waking, I found my wounded temple drest. 
And softly resting on a Peasant's lap. 
Hither he led my steps ; then kindly forced 
His tattered garb upon me, now more prized 
Than monarch's robe, since giving hope to save 
My Diaz's life, and making mine, grown useless 
To Spain, less hateful to myself. 

Diaz. Thank Heaven, 
Thou art spared to serve her still. But say — old Roque ; 
Hath he too fallen ? 

Riego. Perhaps 'twere well he had : — 
Wilt thou believe it, Roque turned against us? 

Diaz. Never 1 No ; think it not. 

Riego. But now I passed him, 
Guiding the pack who hunt his faithful comrades. 
He wore upon his cap the servile badge ; 
He knew me, but thro' fear betrayed me not. 

Diaz. Betray thee ? Senor, sooner he had pierced 
His own old heart. Why he rocked my Father's cradle ; 
His boyish pastimes shared ; his manlier perils 5 
Stood by him when he suffered ; nor would then 
Quit his half buried corse, but rescued it 
From monks and vultures. Roque a deserter I 
N o, the dim light deceived thee 

Riego. Treachery's the fashion of the age — But come. 
We still may join our scattered friends. Lean here. 

Morrillo. [Without.] On I Who lags behind, 
I'll give his carcass to the hounds of France. 

Riego. We'll foil them yet. — 

iAssists Dii.z, and Exeunt, 



42 



Enter Morillo, followed hy Soldiers^ and guided hy Roque 
in the dress of a Monk, a broken sword at Ms side, his right 
hand concealed. 

Morillo. On I Soldiers! Whoso brings Riego's head, shall 
have its weight in golden crowns. 

[ The soldiers steal off one hy one. 
Thou knowest the path ? \_To Roque.] 

Roque. Full well, Senor. I have trodden it on darker 
nights. At yon fork we take the right. 

Morillo. If thou deceivest me — mark me, old man ! 
I'll make a scare-crow of thy naked scalp. 
[ The remainhig soldiers break off. ] Back ! CaitiflPs ! 

\_Fires at them.'] S'death! Straight bring them back, els^ 
shall ye swing together. [Roque goes a short distance and 
returns unobserved by Morillo.] This leads to the Gate of 
El Retiro. 

\_Exit Morillo, on th^ path to the r>ght. 

Roque. And if it does — hang old Roque' s scalp upon it. 
[Exit Roque, by the other path. 

Scene VI. 

A Room in the Palace next the King^s Chamber. Two Mon- 
teros sitting near his door. 

Enter Saez. 

Saez. l^oftly.'] Is his Majesty awake ? 
1st Montero. He hath not slept. [The King stirs.] 
K. Ferd. [Within.] Who spoke? Lights! Lights! 
Enter King Ferdinand, in his robe de chambre. 

Saez. God save your Majesty? 

K. Ferd. What tidings — say ? 

Saez. Riego and his vanguard slain 
In midnight ambuscade. Mina flying for life. 

K. Ferd. Tell me that again. Feel here! 'tis joy. 

Saez. All thy foes subdued. 

K. Ferd. But our brave Cousin and Brother? — 

Saez. Hastening to lay his trophies at thy feet. 

K. Ferd. Ring all the bells. Let the big guns proclaim 
Our triumph, and weleome our conquering Hero 
To Madrid. Ah ! Saez, the Golden Dream. 
Ah Saez ! The dream, the dream is out. Seest not 
In this the Virgin's hand? 

Saez. Hail Blessed Mary ! 

K. Ferd. Again unto my couch. Good night: too long 
By joyful hopes o'erwrought my spirits droop. 

Saez. Ah ! Let Content of restless Joy take place. 
And gently woo sweet sleep to thy embrace. [Exeunt. 



43 



SCEKE VII. 

A Chamber in Riego's Souse. A Lamp burning. Dona 
Theresa reclining on a Couch ; Inez sitting near her, asleep. 
A noise as of the wind. 

Dona The. [Half rising.] The deep, malignant Jesuit ; 
chafed Morillo ! 
And such a night for all foul mischief— [^ noise."] Inez ! Inez ! 
Didst thou not hear that noise ? 

Inez. [Half asleep.] yes, Senora. 

Dona The. Perchancel That little word: he'll come no 
more. 
Dost think he will return ere day, Inez? 

Inez. No, Senora. 

Dona The. But then had harm befallen him, Diaz surely 
Had hastened to us ; Would he not ? 

Iiez. No, Senora. 

Dona The. Ah, true. Diaz would ne'er desert him, living 
Nor dead. That thought doth crush my hope. Oft mid 
The night it seemed as tho' the fiends unchained, 
Defied Heaven's scourging bolts, and peal for peal, 
Hurled back their mocking thunders. [Reveille at a distance.] 

Hark ! 
The camp's harsh anthem to the morn. [Rises and walks to 

a window — A horn blows.] And now 
The early muleteer, on stubborn horn, 
Essays rude music. Doth my eye deceive me ? 
No, 'tis the blessed, dreaded light of day; 
Piercing the mists on Buytrago's brow ; 
But reaching not the thicker gloom that shrouds 
My soul. Ah ! My Riego ! Nought, nought save 
The grasp of death — of death ? — I'll know the worst. 
Inez ! Rise ! Rise ! Get me my cloak. 

[Exit Inez. 

'Twas ever thus : — Ah, happiness at best 
Shoots like a meteor o'er human breast : 
But yesterday the sun of joy rose gay 
As that which heralded my bridal day : 
In swift pursuit the night of woe hath come 
To cast o'er earth the shadow of the tomb. 
Fears fill my bosom of so dark a hue. 
No tinge despair can add, tho' all I dread prove true. 

[Exit. 



44 



Scene VIII. 

At the Gate of the Garden of Buen Eetiro ; R[ego attempting 
to force the lock : Diaz seated on the ground. 

Riego. This is some dungeon lock, forged by a Jesuit. 
'Tis vain : — we'll seek another gate 
And balk the skulking hounds would lap thy blood. 

Diaz. I can no further ; 'tis thy blood they seek, 
Not mine. Go, then, good Senor — ere too late. 

Miego. Leaving my Diaz thus ? — Boy — Boy ! thou shouldst 
Have been the last to doubt my faith or love ; 

Diaz. That steadfast faith it is, Spain ever invokes, 
That love thy Diaz asks, 
Go, then, good Senor. 

Riego. Forsake thee? No I By Porlier's blood — I swear, 

Diaz. ! shun the vow. More holy vows forbid 
That thou shouldst keep. Ahl How would Porlier's shade 
Be grieved should Diaz bar the way to Spain's 
Deliverance. 

Riego. Thou talks but wildly, boy, as tho' 
Hope still were left for Spain. 

Diaz. It is ; it is ; 
For Spain, for all — while yet Riego lives 
Canst pause ? Then hear my vow ; — By Porlier's shade 
I stir not hence to cumber thse and help 
The hell-hounds to their prey. 
! Senor — Father may I call thee ? Rescue 
Thy country, save thyself — thy Diaz — 
If thou shouldst fall — -thou bringest ruin 
Down upon all thou lovest. Lo I Spain lies 
Bleeding at her tyrant's feet. 

Riego. My heart bleeds with her. 

Diaz. Thy friends ; thy suffering comrades ; think of them ! 

Eiego. I do, I do ; death-doomed they clank their chains : 
Hark ! From their cells their stifled voices sound 
As from the tomb ! Methinks they call on me. 

Diaz. And yet, God ! Riego heeds them not. 

Riego. Let me save thee — and then — 

Diaz. First save thy country. 
Take pity of thy wife : thy poor Theresa — 
At Ferdinand's mercy. 

Riego. Goad me not to madness — 
I'll hurl the monster down the infernal pit. 

Diaz. A moment more her sole protector falls ; 
Ingloriously ; his name the jest perchance 
Of slanderous tongues. A soldier's grave should be 
The battle-field ; the bright sun witnessing 
His fall. 



45 

Riego, Fondly Diaz hath my soul 
Indulged the thought, thus gloriously to fall 
For Freedom's sake. Nor shall it now repine ; 
For'come what may, exile or chains, the flames 
Of faith, the piercing crown of thorns ! Still, still, 
'Tis a Godlike destiny — to perish for a righteous cause. 

Diaz. No, not for this 
Did Heaven avert from thee the murderous shaft. 

R^ego. How welcome, could my fall have ransomed Spain 
And thee : but since that may not be, how doubly 
Welcome — 

D^az. Seel see! Thank Heaven, old Roque comes — 

Riego, Old soldier I have wronged thee — deeply. 

Roque, This the foul cause. [Tramples on the badge.'] Yet 
hath the cursed thing served a good turn. 

Riego. How camest thou by it ; — or that Trappist frock ? 

Roque. Seeing signs of life I brought a kind-souled peas- 
ant to dress thy wound. A Monk came up and raised his 
poinard to pierce thy bosom : I turned its point against his 
own black heart 5 then wore ray spoils the better to mislead 
the Cuban hound Morillo, upon the hunt for thee. 

Riego. And I could doubt thee I 

Roque. But couldst not strike old Roque. 

Riego. Canst thou? No, no ! I should not ask thy warm 
Old heart e'er to forgive my unkind thoughts. 

Roque. They never reached it — but — Senor — rkindness — 
somehow — always chokes me. By Santiago, had I seen you, 
as you did old Roque, with that Devil's whelp, Morillo — and 
dressed in this Devil's suit — I should have thought you too 
had listed under Old Nick. But come, if daylight find us 
here we are but targets for the bloody imps. 

Di z. Oh! Never was thy honest face more welcome ; 
Sure Heaven hath sent our truest friend hither 
In this dark hour to guard 
And give our mother back her saviour son. 

Riego. I feel thou art safer with good Roque than 
With doomed Riego. Ah ! My country tears 
Me from my darling boy, rending my heart 
In twain ; for her I brave the brand of shame, 
And like a dastard flee from dastard foes^ 

Diaz. Now art thou Diaz's friend : now, now, — Riego ! 
Victorious there where thou alone couldst conquer, 
Taming thy own proud spirit at Duty's call. 
A moment perils all : Mina awaits thee ! 

Riego. That name awakens hopes methought were dead. 

Diaz. Ah ! Hopes so Heavenly shine not to mislead. 

Riego, Farewell — to both. 

All. Farewell ! {Exit Riego. 

Diaz. He's safe! He's safe! — 



46 

Roque. Bless that little heart : the Marquesito was just so 5 
always caring more for others than himself. But come — 

Diaz. Give me thy arm, good Roque. Thou seest I am 
but a cripple. [SJiows his wounded knee.l 

Roque. Fy ! and I not able to defend you. That brute 
Morillo struck off my fighting hand — to make me a safer 
guide — and then gave me this broken sword as a fit weapon 
for this stump. 

Diaz. Ah ! Savage dog ! — But more's the need you should 
not again fall into his power. Do, for my sake, Roque, shun 
him ; he'll not harm me, 

Roque. Hush ! my old ears wont hear you. Come, here's 
old Ro^inante that many a time has galloped his little Don to 
fight the wind-mill — can carry you yet. [^Stoops.'] 

Morillo advances hy the Garden Wall. 
Diaz. See ! See ! 

Morillo. By Hell ! The old Deceiver here, 
Before me. Ha ! Traitor, is it thou ? 

[Roque rushes on Morillo.] 

Roque. Take back the name belongs to black Morillo. 

Morillo. [Stabs him.] To Hell ! To Hell ! thou doting fool. 

Roque. [To Diaz, who supports him.] You never called 
old Roque traitor. God — bless you — for that — and — pardon — 
all my — sins. [Throws his arms round Diaz a7id dies. 

[OiAz rises. 

Morillo. Away! Standoff! 

Diaz. Monster ! Thou canst not pass. 

Morllo. By Santiago ! But I must : quick! Boy; — 
My mission's urgent. 

Diaz. And thy bloody work 
And badge tell what it is. False to thy cause, 
Thou wouldst betray thy friends to chains and death. 

Morillo. No friends, Morillo reckons in a cause 
Now grown so foul that Heaven abandons it. 

Diaz. Not Heaven ; but wretches who for lucre would 
Surrender Heaven itself to Lucifer. 

Morillo. Beware ! I am in no mood for parley. Ofi*! 
My sword's impatient ; for my honor's pledged 
To bring Riego to the King. 

Diaz. 'Twas pledged 
This night to share Riego' s perils — Back ! Back ! 

Morillo. Rash youth ! That wound shall not protect thee ! 

[Aims a blow at Diaz, but falls over Roquets body, dropping 
his sword, which Diaz takes up.] 

Diaz. Rise ! 
Thy life is spared. 



47 

Morillo. Ha! Foiled by a beardless boy. \^Aside.'\ 

Senor, this noble act o'erpowers me. Give 
Me back my sword — I'll forthwith to Madrid. 

Diaz. I cannot arm thee more with means of mischief. 
Thou art free to go. 

Morillo. Thy caution cancels not 
The debt I owe thee 5 let me in return 
Safe conduct give thee thro' our scouts, whom else 
Thou canst not shun. 

Diaz. I fear not for myself 
Since he is safe whom I were proud to die for. 

Morillo. Riego ? — There thou errest 5 known to have fled 
This way, — the peasant's mantle serving ill 
To hide his warrior form, or falcon eye. 

Diaz. \^Aside.'\ This wretch at least knows all. 

Morillo. Thou wouldst die to save him ? 

Diaz. Freely. 

Morillo. Generous youth ! — 
I have a thought might test thy friendship. 

Diaz. Name it. 

Morillo. Stand thou his hostage : my prisoner as 
Thou' It seem, my zeal wins favor with the King, 
And thence the means to save ye both. 

Diaz. But now thou soughtst our lives : does hate so soon 
Grow kind ! See there ! — Morillo' s clemency ! 

[Points to the body of Roque.] 

Morillo. Yes, I was hasty, and am sorry for it. 
Enter Pierre, passing 'hastily.'] 

Morillo. [ Accost mg him.] Friend I whither so fast? 

Pierre. To spread the glorious news — Riego' s taken ! 
Dogged by Ugarte to old Carlos' hut. [Exit Pierre. 

Diaz [Aside.] OGodI — Lost! Lost! 

Morillo. [Aside.] Taken! — And not by me ! — 
Then have I missed a dukedom. [Aloud.] Now thou wilt 
Believe Morillo ? Ah ! A wretched doom 
I fear awaits thy friend. 

Diaz. [With great agony.] Thou' It keep thy promise? 

Morillo. By all that's sacred ! 

Diaz. Take thy sword. [Hands it to him.] 

Morillo And thine. 

Diaz. Mine! Mine! This sword? It was my father's ; — 
His dying gift : 'tis girded to my heart. 

Morillo. 'Twill still be thine : I hold it but for thee. 

[Diaz hisses his sword, then hands it to Morii.lo. 
Now kneel ! 

Diaz, What meanest thou ? 



48 

Morillo. To give thee back thy sword. 
Down I I am in haste I 

[DiAS raises Ms hands in prayer. Morillo stabs him.l 
Diaz. ! Bloody I Bloody Fiend I But, save Riego — 
As thou hast sworn — and I — forgive thee. 

[He falls on Roque. 
Morillo. He-11 rendezvous with thee to-night — in Hell. 

As Morillo is going, enter Fran9ois and Soldiers, with 
RiEGO guarded ; from the opposite s^'de. Brothers of Char- 
ity, who approach the bodies. 

Morillo. r To Frangois. ] Ha, Captain 1 Thou hast caught 
the mighty hero. 

RiEGo eyes him with disdain. Frangois does not notice him. 

Frangois. [2^o Pierre.^ See! 'tis the youth we passed 
some half hour since. 

Riego. My Boy! My gallant Boy ! — And faithful Roque! 
Senor — one moment : that — that youth was — was 
My friend's son : reared from infancy — as mine. 

Francois. This feeling honors thee : pray take thy time. 

RiEGO bends over them. 

First Brother. Lo I Youth's hot current and the chilly 
stream 
Of age — poured forth and mingling into one ! 
A feast for glory's crimson lip. 

Second Brother. The work of war, waged not by fiends, 
Nor brutes — but Christians in a Chiistian land. 
And they who wield aloft the club of Cain, 
And banquet on a brother's blood, dare call 
Themselves the followers of HIM whose mission 
On earth was peace. 

R ego. [Half aside.'] No — 'twas delusion — yet — me- 
thought he breathed. 

Morillo. [To Frangois.] The rich reward 
Thy service earns thy tardiness may lose. 

Frangois, I ask for none — nor would I harrow up 
That brave man's feelings — for thy Kingdom's mines. 

Riego. He breathes! He breathes I [Raists J)iAZ* ^ head, 

Diaz. Thanks — good friend — 

Riego. Diaz ! Speak 
Again ! — Dost not know me? — Riego*l 

Diaz. [Opening his eyes.] Ah I Senor 1 false Morillo ! 
Disarmed — he begged his sword — then — by — false promises — 
Filched mine — and struck — here. 

Riego. Faithless, ruthless butcher I 

Diaz. He could not — murder — thee: Thank gracious 
Heaven — I — 
Ah ! Here — on poor old — Roque. [Sleeps.] 



49 

Riego. [T^o Morillo.] Look here ! Nearer; — 
Behold thy work ! Look ! Look ! He smiles as though 
Some blissful vision beamed upon his soul. 

Diaz. He'seafe! Riego'ssafe! and Diaz — happy. \^Dies. 

Riego. Aye, happy art thou, noble youth. Owns earth, 
Or hell, another fiend had done this deed ? 

Morillo. S'death. [Half draws.] But thou'rt fettered; — 
else my sword might rob 
The gallows of its due. 

Riego. Base craven, strike, 
And that vainglorious sword may earn what yesterday 
It missed, the assassin's fame. [Morillo draws. 

Francois. Your pardon, Senor ; he is my prisoner ; 
Prithee stand back. 

Riego. Senor, one favor more — [To Francols. 

In the same grave let these brave soldiers rest. 

[Places Diaz's arms around Roque's neck. 

First Brother. Be that our charge. 

Riego. I should have known thy mission. 
Would that all who wear the garb of piety 
Were such as ye are — friends of the friendless. 

[Gives money, as does Francois. 

First Brother. Thanks, Senors ! 
In their last bed thy friends shall rest — as now. 

[ The Brothers of Charity remove the bod es. ] 

Riego. [I^o Morillo.] — There shall thy butchered vic- 
tims find that peace 
Thou ne'er canst know ; while every honest heart 
Shall own their worth, and curse the wretch who smote them. 

[Exeunt Fran90is toith Riego one way j Morillo another.] 



ACT FIFTH. 
Scene I. 

A Dungeon in the Inquisition, Riego chained^ lying on a pallet 
in his mil tary dress, A Table with a Crucifix and Skidl, 
and a Lainp throwing its light in Ri ego's eyes, whigh he 
tries to protect by his hand. Two Guards watch all his mo- 
tions. One approaches to trim the Lamp. 

Riego. My good fellow, canst thou not remove that lamp ? 
Its glare hath driven sleep from my eyes. 

1.9^ Sentinel. No, 'twould be against orders, and 'tis time 
to get up. 

Enter n. Smith ivith fetters, attended by four Assistants. He 
seizes one of Ri ego's ankles. 

Riego. What means this rudeness? — 

\_By a sudde7i effort he ivithdraios his leg. 

Smith. Pray, SeTor, be niitient. [R'^peafs his grasp. 

Riego. Away ! Away ! Brutal and cowardly dogs — 
I'll not submit — why use ye not your daggers ? 
Ha! Off! Begone!— 

[He spurns the Smith with his feet, .struggling violently, 
but f-s overpowered by him and his assistants, and the 
fetters fastened on his ankles. 

Smith. \_Going.^ Pray pardon us, Senor, we have but 
don 3 our duty. 

R ego. Aye ; willing tools of tyrants who usurp 
Forbidden powers, and crush with iron rod. 
The sons of noble sires who ruled their Rulers. 
Begone ! 

[Exeunt Smith and Assistants. 
But for my wife — in Ferdinand's power, — 
I could defy their utmost malice. Ha ! 
That way is madness. 

[Enter RoMfJAi.DO beiring a trencher wdh two covers. 

Rom. Thy breakfast, Sen or; [Uncovers crusts and water.'] 
Humble fare, but all our scanty means allow. 
This from good Saez ; [Uncovers a skull •.] a friend, he bids 

me say, 
Of thine— 

Riego. Of mine ? 



51 



Rom. — Who in thy lonely hours, 
May reach thy heart, and counsel thee to shun 
His fate : one Porlier — 

Riego. Porlier thou say'st? 
Of what was he accused ? 

Rom, ! Deadly sins ; of heresy and treason. 

Riego. And would not confess? 

Rom. Alas ! He died impenitent. 

Riego. Died 1 

Rom. Aye. With stubborn hardihood stood out 
The question, and so brought death upon himself. 

Riego. Excellent ! Suffering death sooner than shinder 
His own fair name, and deemed — a suicide ! 
! Rare device of vile imposture, that 
Bv cabalistic phrase virtue confounds 
With vice — picturing things their very opposites. 
Porlier! — He was indeed my friend ! — A man 
Who practiced virtues hypocrites profess : 
Who fed the hungry : clothed the naked ; was 
The orphan's father, and ihe widow s stay: 
Who loved his neighbor as himself; and daily 
To his God the homage offered of a heart 
Upright and pure ; but worshipped not 
His image of molten brass, nor gold, — nor yet of flesh 
And blood. Striving to break a tyrant's chain. 
He met a tyrant's hate ; and perished in 
The morn of life, victim of perfidy ! 
He was a heretic ! A traitor! while, — 
God of Justice ! they, who enslave 
And massacre mankind, are glorified 
As Gods I In mockery of Thee, tricked up 
In all Thy attributes : — Almighty Sovereigns I 
And God-like Conquerors ! Priests Infallible ! 
Holy Inquisitors I Most Holy Allies ! 
And why not too, Most Holy King of Hell ? 

Enter an Alguazil. He and Romualdo converse apart. 

[Riego tahes up the Skull — a label falls off. ] 

But see ! See I How thy falsehood stands exposed. 

[Reads."} "Dona Joanna de Bohorquez." 

Poor Lady ! Is it thou? Will nought appease 

The human fiends that tore thee from thy home, 

Wrested the struggling infant from thy bosom ; 

And when that bosom ceased to heave beneath 

Their scourge, proclaimed thee void of crime ? Still do 

They envy thee the quiet of a grave ? 

Enforcing thee to plead their hateful cause? 

Monsters! Monsters! 0, that that mouth 



52 

Indeed might find a tongue, and those dark sockets glare 
With light, to scare them from their feasts of blood. 
How long, how long, ere Heavenly vengeance wake, 
And crumble o'er their heads these guilty walls ! 
Away ! — Away ! 

Rom. \^Aside.'\ Alas! Poor sinful man. 

Alguazil. Seiior, thou'rt cited to the Hall of the Alcaldes. 
Within we'll find a habit better suits thy present need. 

Riego. Lead on. \_Exeunt. 



So EXE II. 

A Street in Madrid. 

Enter Mortllo and Abisbal, conversing. 

Abisbal. What think you of a foreign mission ? I am for 
France, gay France. 

Morillo. Galicia will do for me : — But see our melancholy 
friend! [Enter Ballesteros.] 

Why, General, you look as sad as tho' yon gibbet were for 
thee. 

Ballestems. 'Tis for one who less deserves it than wCj whose 
ba.se desertion doomed him to it. 

Morillo. Thou art in a moping humor. 

Abisbal. Come, return with us. The King this morning 
will reward his friends : say, what boon wouldst thou ask? 

BalPsteros. That I fear he will never grant. 

Abisbal. I will insure it, tho' 'twere half his kingdom. 
Come, come. 



[Takes Ms arm and Exeunt. 



Scene III. 

The Hall of the Alcaldes. 

Enter King Ferdinand, Alagon, Saez, Abisbal, the Nuncio, 
Morillo : the Count De Torre Alto, and Ugarte, the 
five last habited as Alcaldes of the King's Household, 
except the Nuncio, and, Abisbal who is habited as Kmg's 
Proctor. Saez is conversing earnestly with Abisbal and 
Morillo. TAe King a.§c6/i-f,s the Throne, assisted by Saez 
and Alagon. Enter also Ballesteros, who stands apart. 

Saez, Lo ! San Fernando' s throne again receives 
Its lawful sovereign. 

AT. Eerd. Under Heaven to none — 
Save his brave Cousin, — doth Ferdinand owe it, that 
His hands are freed, more than to faithful Saez, 



53 

And their first act shall lift him to the seat 
Usurped by that arch-traitor, curst San Miguel. 

[Saez kneels and kisses the King's hand. 
Senor, arise ! Prime Minister of Spain. 

[Saez on rising takes the arm of Ballesteros, and presents 
him to the Xing'] 

^nez. General Don Francisco Ballesteros ; 
Your Majesty's good friend. 

K. Ferd. By Holy Mary ! 
Twice, — twice my friend, and only once my foe. 

Ballest. Your Majesty hath proofs of my contrition. 

K. Ferd. And promised a reward? Speak! Whatwould'st 
have? 
Is it gold ? High place at home? — Or foreign embassy ? 

Ballest. Nor gold nor honors Ballesteros asks : 
I come with bleeding heart to sue for one, 
Deserted by the world. 

K. Ferd. Be brief, — his name ? 

Ballest. Don Rafael de Riego. 

K. Ferd. Thou plead' st for him? chief ruffian of the 
gang 
Who robbed me of my freedom and my crown ! 

Ballest. His arm twice saved your Majesty from death : 
Trusting thy gracious sense of that ; thy pledge 
Of full oblivion for the past — 

K. Ferd. ' Tis false: — 
That amnesty thou knowest, his rebel friends 
And thine enforced, with daggers at my throat. 
Away ! I visit justice on a traitor ,• 
And Heaven approves : Thou hast betrayed a friend. 
Go. seek some cloister's walls to hide thy shame. 
And purchase masses for the miscreant's soul. 
Begone ! Ere I take back thy unearned pardon. 

Abishal. [Aside to Ballesteros as he is going.] General ! 
Adieu ! Pray in thy orisons remember me. 

Morillo. \ Aside to Ballesteros.] Farewell! my godly 
brother : 
Almost I envy thee thy life of peace 
And piety. One day thou'lt be a Saint. 

Ballest. [Aside to them.] 'Tis just: I merit all ; but tri- 
umph not ; 
Ye too, deserted Spain to serve a tyrant ; 
The time may come ye too shall meet his wrath ; 
The scoffs of wretches like yourselves ; the hell 
Of conscious guilt. [Exit Ballesteros. 

S'Pz. [To an Officer.] Proceed. 

Officer. The Alcaldes of the King will take their seats. 



54 



[The Alcalies range themselves before the Throne: Saez 
pi^esiding. 

Enter Riego in chains, attended bij Guards — habited as a pris- 
oner of the Inquisition, 

Officer. Make way, Senors! Room for the prisoner! 

IRiEiio is conductel before the Alcaldes.'] 

Saez. Honorable Alcaldes ! — 
France hath kept kept her faith : 
Her warrior Prince, a Bourbon, shields a Bourbon, 
And saves a Spanish King from Spanish daggers. 
Your awful court ; those antique robes ; this Hall, 
Wherein your predecessors sate to guard 
The realm ; Yon God-like Presence, all proclaim 
Our Spain herself again : her ancient usages 
Restored ; her Holy Church : her Absolute King. 
But think not Judges, these blessings safe 
Wnile breathe the rebels would have torn them from us : 
Lo ! their Satanic chief awaits his doom ; 
And this, [ Presents a MSS. which he hands to Abisbal.~\ 
The record of his guilty deeds. Senor, we'll hear thee. 

Abisbal. What, honored Judges, need I say, but that 
Don Rafael de Riego stands before 
You, an attainted traitor? His vile hand 
It was first raised Rebellion's flag at Arcos ; 
Were it my task to name his many crimes. 
Yon sun whose rays now slant from the Eastern sky, 
Might rise and set again ere half be told. 
Out of his own foul mouth shall you condemn him. 

\_Tiirns to Riego. 

Senor, this scroll contains grave charges, touching 
Thy life and honor — thou hast leave to make 
Defence. Please answer to the point, and truthfully. 

[ Reads. ] Didst thou not seize the Churches plate to pay thy 

soldiers ? 

Riego. Once — by Abisbal's counsel; as Don Pablo 
Well knows. [Morilt.o shakes his head. 

Abisbal. ' Cis false : and so his Honor doth attest. 

\_Reads.~\ Didst thou not levy war against the King f 

Riego. Not so the Conde deemed it ; nor did Don Pablo; 
They had not joined me else, nor now enjoyed 
The royal favor. 

Abisbal Libels such as these ■ 
But aggravate thy guilt. 



55 



{Beads.] Didst thou not meditate thy Sovereign' s death 1 

Riego, Never: he was my prisoner, and knows 
I held his life a sacred trust. His Majesty 
Himself can but rebuke this shameless calumny. 

\_The King arerts his face. 

Morillo. The King remembers not thy gracious care, 

Riego. Then I appeal to thee, Morillo : — say, 
Whose was the arm upraised agaiast his life? 
Whose bosom warded off the deadly steel? 

Morillo. What ! Ha ! Foul slanderer — 

[Feeling for his swo7^d.] 

Count de Torre A'to. Were I Don Pablo, 
By Santiago ! chained as the traitor is, 
My sword should have his heart upon the spot — 

Riego. Pray, Count, use thin*^ on his behalf, and take 
My thanks. 

K. Ferd. Enough ! He doth but speak to insult 
His judges, and defy the law. Despatch ! 

Ahisbal. Then as King's Proctor I demand at once 
Judgment of death. Ask you for further proofs? 
What proofs would you desire? — That he who sits 
On yonder throne is Don Fernando, King 
Of Spain, or this the infamous Riego? — 

Alcaldes. We have proofs enough. 

Morillo. Alcaldes ! you have heard 
The cause; how say you, — guilty, or not guilty "i 

A Icaldes. Guilty : guilty. 

Saez. So hold we all. Hath Don Rafael pleas 
Or proofs might mitigate our judgment ? 

Riego. Many : — 
One, of itself should strike these fetters from 
My limbs. Behold ! — The King's full amnesty. 

[Shows Pardon. 

K. Ferd. The King withdraws it. 

Saez. So thy plea is naught. 

Hiego. Then I would ask, whence springs the right of Saez 
And his new Bench of Justices, to arraign 
A soldier taken in open war while combating 
His country's foes? As prisoner of France 
I claim from France, a prisoner's due ; if doomed 
To die — a soldier's death. 

Saez. Thy pleas are idle. 

Riego. Too well I knew how vain the privilege 
You gave. Beneath the ermine robe you grasp 
The dagger of revenge, and dally with 
Your prey to gain a keener relish for 
His blood. Before all Earth and Heaven I do 



56 

Protest against this mockery, whereby 
You'd blight my fame and life. 

K. Ferd. [/b Saez.^ Pray stop this tedious parley. 

Saez. Nought remains 
Save to declare the law's stern sentence — that 
Don Rafael de Riego suffer this day 
An ignominious death ; his head exposed 
At Las Cabezas ; and his quivering limbs 
Sent to strike terror at the spots where most 
His treasons blazed. God's mercy save thy soul! 

The Alcaldes rise : All retire to the further end of th" Hall, 
except the King, Saez, Alagon, Riego and the Guards. 

K. Ferd. Forth ! Forth ! To execution. 

Saez. [Aside to the King.] But — the rack? — 

K. Ferd. [Aside to Saez.] Thoul't see to that. 
[To Riego.] — Thus shall thy pride be humbled. 
And thy proud name be razed from Honor s chronicle. 

Riego. Upon the murderer's head the shame shall rest, — 
Not on his victiin's. No ! My soul exults 
To ttiink the day shall come, when o'er thy falsehoods 
Truth shall prevail, and an impartial world 
Do justice to Riego — and to thee. 

K. Ferd. Hence ! Bear him off. 

Eater Don a Theresa, who falls at the King's feet. 

Dona The. Mercy ! gracious King ! O mercy ! mercy 1 
K. Ferd. How's this? What would the woman have? 

Art frantic ? 
Bona The. Aye, well nigh frantic. — See ! They bear my 

husband to his death. 
K. Ferd. [Aside.] Riego' s wife I [Descends.] Senora, 

rise. 

[ Whispers Alagon and Saez, who withdraw. 

Riego. [Aside.] Was then this bitterest draught still in 
reserve ? 
Now am I Ferdinand's slave. [To the King.] Not for myself, 

King ! — I sue — 

K. Ferd. [To Guards.] Ha ! Heard ye my command? 

[The Guards surround Riego and conduct him off. 

Dona The. Not yet. — Oh! Mercy! Mercy! Ah — one mo- 
ment — 

K. Ferd. [Aside.] So bright in tears — how dazzling bright 
in smiles ! 

1 pity thee, Senora, — from my heart. 

Dona The. Help me, then, gracious King, in this dread 
hour 5 



57 

The next may sink me else beyond tlie reach 

Of human aid. Ah I thinii! My husband bared 

His breast to ward from thine a ruffian's steel. 

Have mercy now on him ; 'twill stand thee more in stead 

Than will his blood, that awful day 

When thou salt sue for mercy to thy King. 

K, Ferd. Such earnest pleadings breathed from lips so 
pure, 
Might move the sternest judge to warp the law. 

Dona The. ! 'Tis Mercy's Heavenly attribute to save 
Where unrelenting justice hath condemned. 
Shall he not soon be free? 

K. Ferd. He may — may I 
But hope such kindness will be paid in kind ; — 
And thou, thyself mayst herald his reprieve. 

Dona The. 0, blessed mission for a wife: Now doubt 
Not generous King, thou shalt disarm thy foes, 
And from Riego win a pledge the rack 
Could ne'er extort ". his wife's unceasing prayers 
Withal, that God may lengthen out thy days, 
And in a better world reward thy mercy. 

K. Ferd. Tease me not thus, fair Dame, with charming 
prudery. 

Dorla The. Your Majesty designs some jest : but grief 
Doth make my heart too dull for playful thoughts. 

K. Ferd. That .glowing cheek betrays the consciousness 
Those lovely lips blush to disown. No prayers, 
Thanks to the Holy Virgin, do I need : 
With her own sinless Son I share her love ; 
Some share of thine — which now thy gentle heart 
In prodigal excess reserves for one — 
Sole boon I ask of thee. 

Dona The, That heart I gave 
My husband : it is his ; — its every throb, 
By title ratified in Heaven. 

K. Ferd. Say, I 
Remit his fearful penance — in its stead 
Bestowing wealth and envied dignities — 
Our fair Senora shining high the while 
The brightest star that gilds my court ; may .1 
Not hope — her grateful smiles might — 

Dona The. Knowest thou Riego? — 
And canst thou think his wife so vile ? Or dream 
That he would touch the wages of her shame? 

K. Ferd. Thy virtue, fair Senora, even more 
Than thy surpassing beauty, vanquishes 
My heart. Say that the Church absolve us all 
From blame ? — 



58 

Dona The. Could our own hearts — would Heaven acquit 
us ? 
Ah I No: the ties which bind me to my husband. 
No Church imposed ; no Church can e'er dissolve. 

K. Ferd. What! What I Dost thou reject my proffered 
favors ? 

Dona The. Speak not of favors, 'twere a crime in thee 
To offer ; infamy in me to think of. 

K, Ferd. Now mark me, Dame; That paragon of husbands. 
Whose doom his wife decrees — 

Dona The. ! Say not that. 

K. Ferd. — High in mid air the noon day sun shall view 
His traitor form loose swini>itig in the ivind. — 

Dona The. ! Be my life the ransom paid for his : 
Be mine his gloomy cell 5 his death of shame ; 
The blazing faggot or the torturing wheel ; 
But think not I can steep my soul in sin. 

K. Ferd. Ah ! Arch dissembler, who canst talk of sin. 
Yet slay a husband. On thy head then rest 
His blood. 

Dofia The. Ye Heavens! Am I so fell a monster? 
No ! thou doth crush us both. 0, if our lives 
In anguish spent may expiate his fault. 
Let him afar from Spain and me, pine out 
His days in exile : Make me thy slave, 

K. Ferd. My slave 1— 

Dona The. Thy very slave. 

K. Ferd. In all ^ 

Dona The. All ? Ha ! My thoughts 
Seem wildly rushing to the brink of guilt ; 
They fly affrighted back to meet despair. 
Thou'dst have some horrid pledge. — My God ! My God ! 
Hast thou forsaken me ? [Imploringly .~\ Pray ! Fray ! — 
have mercy on us. 

K. Ferd. ^ The word's gone forth : At noon thy husband 
dies. 

Dona The. One day, — one hour's reprieve : let me once 
more 
Behold his face — then here will I return, 
A wretch as now — within thy power. 

\_The King heckons Alagon. 

K, Ferd. Alagon awaits thee — thou must return without 
delay. 
Dona The, Must, must ? Thy slave obeys. 

[Exeunt Dona Theresa and Alagon. 

K. Ferd. She'll not betray our secret : but that serpent 
Coiled in my path, must not escape : my end 
Once gained, he dies I he dies ! 



59 

As lie is going J enter Abisbal, Morillo and Chamorro. 

Cham. Majesty seems not well. 

K. Ferd. In sooth, Chamorro, 
I'm much worn down with cares of State, and need 
Thy cheerful company. 

Cham. A calm siesta 
Will soon restore thy wonted spirits. Pray take 
Don Pedro's arm. 

[Abisbal and Morillo advance.l 

Ahishal. Our King this day enjoys , 
A signal triumph — due, may we not humbly 
Trust, to Don Pablo and myself? 

K, Ferd. And now you seek rewards? Your wishes, 
Senors? 
What would the noble Conde? 

Ahishal. Leave to serve 
Your Majesty abroad — your faithful envoy — 

K. Ferd. St. James's? — or St. Cloud ?— [Abisbal hows,'] 
And how reward 
Tlie veteran Conqueror of Mexico ? 

Morillo. Since now his gracious King no more doth need 
Morillo' s sword — 

K. Ferd. What! What! Morillo' s sword! 
That yesterday was pointed at my heart? 

Ahishal. [Aside to Morillo.] Thou hast raised a storm, 
Morillo, wrecks us both. 

Morillo. I deemed my royal master had forgiven 
His slave's offence — and would forget it. 

K. Ferd. Just Heaven forgives not rebels : why should 
Kings ? 
Were ye not fj^lse, why here seeking rewards, 
While still audacious Mina threats our peace ? 
I banish ye from Spain. Thrice perjured traitors ! 
Dreamed ye I'd trust to you again? Hence ! Let not 
The setting sun behold you in Madrid, 
Else rising, he shall view you dangling with 
The wretch ye have betrayed, whose crimes compared 
With yours, seem virtues. 

lExeunt 

Scene IV. 
A Dungeon of the Inquisition. Riego chained to the floor. 

Riego. Spain ! Far, far more wretched is thy fate 
Than mine : a moment more my sufferings cease ; 
Thy bosom still must heave beneath the weight 
Of bigot power.— But come it must, the day 
Of thy deliverance, when — joyful thought I 



60 

The graves of Freedom's sons, thro' all 
Thy hills and vales shall echo back the Hymn 
Of Liberty. 

[A secret panel in the Great Door of the Cell of Torture opens^ 
at which Saez appears unseen by Riego.] 

Saez, Untouched I The miscreant's gone who should have 
made 
Him feel the pains his haughty spirit braves. 

Riego. [After a pause.] My lost Therese — What will 
become of her? Poor suflPerer I 

[Raises a handkerchief to his face.] 
Saez. 'Tis the right key to unlock 
His bosom to my errand. [A bell sounds within. 
Enter Ugarte and Romualdo. 

Ugarte. [Touching Riego.] Sen or I — 

Riego. Ah I True! I am r^ady ; this, [His handkerchief] 
give to my wife ; 
Now, one pang more — and that, remember, sudden and final. 

Ugarte. Doubt us not, Senor. [Unlocking the chains.] 

Saez. Ha! This must not be ; [A.side.\ 
Suffering's the meed of guilt, and must be his. 
Ere he can earn the luxury of a grave. 

Ugarte. So swiftly shall our engine bring on death, 
That death shall stifle all its panels. 

Saez, [Advances.] Hold! hold! [Makes a sign to Famil- 
iars ; they retire. ] 
[To Biego.] What! Would Riego crown 
His valiant deeds with suicide? And shrink 
Like common men from pain? 

Riego. A moment more. 
This torment he at least had shunned, of now 
Again beholding thee. 

Saez. Rail on — then hear me. 
I come to offer thee deliverance. 

Riego.. Thou! 
'Tis thou didst plot my death ; doom me to torture ; 
And now wouldst raise delusive hopes to glut thy vengeance- 

Saez, Not mine the boon ; the King would be thy friend. 

Riego. Thou mockest me, Monkj or tellest of charm 
more strange 
Than that of old, transforming men to brutes — 
A spell to change a monster into man. 

Saez. A spell in sooth ; wrought by a fair Enchantress. 

Riego. I pray thee keep this wondrous tale to adorn 
Thy saintly legends. 

Saez. Aye : Riego fain 
Would die for Liberty j not e'en a wife;— 



61 

Ritgo. Be merciful for once, and torture not 
The soul. Speak what thou hast to say ; or leave me. 
- ^'fif^z. Know then — The King's enamored of thy wife. 

Rwgo, Imposter! Demon! 

S'lez. Vanquished by her charms. 
He would vouchsafe to make her reigning favorite 
And brightest jewel that adorns his court. 

Etego. Sure I ham been wrenched upon the wheel^ 
And with returning life my senses stray 
In dreams more horrid than the pangs it gave. 

Saez. Recall thy wandering reason, and hear all : 
Then make thy choice — a felon's death ; or freedom, 
With rule <if fair Galicia. Nay, more — 

Emj(i, What more? What more? Do I still breathe on 
earth? 
Or is not this the dread abode where torments 
Pnrify the soul from sins of ihe flesh ? 

Ritgfj. Riego raves: Say that the Church its sanction 
Gives ; thy wifti her free consent? 

Riego. Say that the sun's an icicle ! 
The frozen pole a mass of liquid tire — : 
That Heaven's the dwellinj? place of Monks : say that 
Ther's hoiior — virtue — ^truth — in Ferdinand 
And thee; — Tell aught— but that. 

Saez. It is her love 
For thee favors his suit — aad asks thy sanction. 

Riego. Amazing liar I Could I but reach thee I 
W'^ould grasp thee till some touch of torment thou 
Should' St feel like that thouMst give ; then leave thy carcass 
Fit morsel for the toads this vault engenders. 

Saez. That fate be thine ! — or worse. But mark me well: 
Ferdinand will not be foiled in schemes of love ; 
When thou shalt in thy grave unquietly 
Be laid, thy beauteous Dame in his embrace 
Shall find a solace for her loss. 

Riego. Fiends as ye are, 
Ye dare not meet the blasting fire which beams 
From Virtue's eye. Begone ! 

[Saez going ^ converses with Familiars, who retire. ] 

But — then — Aye ! Aye ! 
O, happy thought — I may again behold 
Her face, and with my last fond blessing soothe 
Her anguish — Senor ! Senor ! Pray return : 
My wife, thou say'st, consents? — And freely? 

Saez. I have it from the Duke. 

Riego. I would hear it from her own lips. 

Saez. What then ? 

Riego. What then ?— Wha^ then ! ! 



62 

Saez. Tlioii'lt yield her to the King 7 

Riego. What? Yield her to Ferdinand ? — Tf she consent I 
will ; 
To him or his vile Pander ; Aye: or 
The Beast Morillo. 

Saez. S]:re awaits thy summons ; 
The duno^eon bell soon sounds thy final hour 
llesolve then Senor, speedily — and wisely. 

[Saez lailMraws tJirmigh the secret paneL 

R eg"^. Consents? — No. no: ^tis an infernal plot. 
No earthly power — not my commands, nor prayers — 
Nor certain death to her or me, could reconcile 
Her soLil to this fori) deed of sin and shame. 

Eater Dox.i Theresa from the opposite siJe. 

Dona The. Afy husband ! 

fiiego. (>n(»e more heart to heati;. Thou wonld'st not 
Then forsake me? 

Dona The. Tm weal nor woe ; nor thou thy poor Theresa I 

Riego. Not for earth's horcest blessings. 

Do/ia The. Ah ! happy lot. brief tho' it be, again 
Thus circled in thy arms, my haven of bliss:— 
Till this sad hour, my refuse from despair. 
T brin^ a pan^r for us both, living or dying, — 
The cell of torture can supply none fiercer. 

Riego. Spare t'lyself the harrowing tale : already 
I've lieard enou<rh. 

Dona The. Tlip execrable monster! — 
My heart revolted at his hide^uis scheme, 
And still, — wilt thou forgive me? — still must loathe it, 
Tho' giving back t thee thy life and freedom. 

Riego. Dost think to screen myself that I could plunge 
My wife in shame and misery? No, Dearest, 
To my last hour thy spotless purity 

Shall fill my soul with joy. {^Embraces her. "] Still do I fear 
The base designs of Ferdinand toward thee. 

Dona The. Fear not. I have 
A friend, thy freedom gained, had given me mine. 

[Shores a dagger.^ 
Riego. [Takes the dagger. Ji By Heaven, thou smilest as 

Thy beaming light ere sent to guide us thro' 
The gloom, and carve a way beyond the reach 
Of brutal vengeance. 

Do^a The. First redeem thy wife ! 
The glittering blade again ray breast shall greet, 
A messenger of Love, to waft my soui 



63 

Witli tliine, to mansions where the wicked cease 
From troubling, and the weary be at rest. 

Riego. Might Heaven approvej how sweet to die, 
Locked in this last embrace. 

Dona The. Call it not deatk ; rather a brief siesta. 
Whence angels shall awake us, loudly chanting 
Hosanna in the Highest. 

Ritgo. ' IV/as a desperate, wicked 
Fancy. Tlioia tempting fiend, how didst thoii prompt 

£ To the dagger. 
My hand to damning ?>m ! Bait God be thanked, 
^Ti« past. I cannot stain with blood — thy blood, 
I'his snowy piiiov/ of mv joys and griefs:— \_Bell tolls, 

Donafhe.^^ Hark! Hark! 

Eiego. 'Pis time ~we part — 

Doha TM. Part ! Part ? 
Thou w?k not Hs« the friendly steel — 9.n4yet 
■Canst speak this cri^eller word: thus will I cling to the-e, 
In life^ in d-eath. We must not part. 

Suddenly tke Great Do<^r -o/* the Oell opens, discovering the 
Cell 0/ Tortm-^, tvkereiu i>s pl-accd an Engine, surrounded 
hiff Itiqmsilors, m i^ng, black Cloaks, ■each hearing a 
Taper, a 

%_Enttr U^SART® ^nd Romualdo chsing th^ door afttr them,'] 

See there ! Tfcat den of liends — Off! off! Away! 

Ye shall not murder him : ! God of Mercy ! — [Swoons. 

Ugarte. The bell hath tolled— 

Riego, \_Nmt imUcing Mm.'} Oh! Would that sigh had 
be«n thy last 1 [Laps her on his pallet, 

Eiiifer Saez ihr^ugk the ^secret panel, 

Saez. Are ye resolved ? 

Riego, Thou must abide ker answer, 

Saez, Tear them apart. 

Riego, Touch her not ] Touch h«r not ! 

[Raises the dagger. 

Enter a Familmr, 

Familiar, A licensed priest sent to confess Don Rafael, 
Demands admittance. [Exit. 

Saez signs to Ugarte and Romualdo, who retire, 

Saez, [To Riego.} Our Church forbids 
All witnesses to this last solemn rite. 

Riego. I beg thou wilt observe its rule : for herj 
•She lies too near a better world to heed 
WJiat passes here. ^Aside.] 'Tishe! 



C4 

Enter the Canon Riego, laJio pauses as in prayer, until Saez 
retires thro' the secret panel, 

— My kindest brother ! [Embracing. ] 

The Canon. Dear Rafael ! I came to comfort thee — 
But most myself need comfort : I'^ra a child ! [ Weeps,^ 

Riego. Thou bast ever been to me the best of brothers j 
Be such to her. Bear her far from the wretch 
Whose mercy, more cruel than his hate, 
Will still pursue her. Fulfill this last request. 

The Canon. I will; I will! 
Mina, leaves lost Spain this night, for England. 

Riego. My Brother, thou had brought me comfort : that 
I most have craved, but durst not hope. To know 
That she is safe, will dull the sting of death. 
Farewell, dear brother ! And once more — once more— 
My stricken wife !— [P/ace5 her in the Canon^s arms.^ 

The Canon. I may — may see thee — yet 
Again : if not— God will sustain thee 
In this dread hour of tribulation. 

[Exit th'^' Canon, bearing off Doxa Theresa* 

The bell sounds. Re- enter Saez, Ugarte and Romualdo 
through the secret panel. 

Saez. Thy answer to the King : — 
Wilt thou retract thy treasons and accept 
His pardon on full submission to his will ? 

Riego. Never ! [Gves Ugarte the dagger, 1 

A muffled drum without. 

Saez. The hour is come, Don Rafael meets 
The doom his country's outraged laws demand. 

Riego. No law ray country hath, save a stern tyrant's wi]l; 
I die to lull that tyrant^s fears. Be it so : 
Bright thoughts and hopes will cheer my dying hour ; 
But he — and thou — my Murderers ! shall ye not feel 
That while the Heavens endure never can souls 
Distained with guiltless blood, find rest. 

Saez points to the Cell of Torture, and exit through the Secret 
Panel : the Great Door then opens, through which the Fa- 
miliars conduct Riego, closing it hastily after them. 

Scene III. 

A Boom in the Palace. King Ferdinand on a couch convers- 
ing it'«7A Alagon, a Page fanning him. 

K. Ferd. Alagon ! I'm sick : that muffled drum — 
Its solemn dirge struck terror to my soul. 



65 

Alagon. Your Majesty needs repose. 

K. Ferd. Aye I That is it. 
But there's no rest for me this side the grave. — 
Dost think there's life beyond it? — 

Alagon. I fear there is. 

K, Ferd, At times that thought o'erpowers me — and— 
Enter Saez, in dejection. 
Look there ! Behold ! Now Saez — Speak — Speak I Riego 
Hath escaped — 

Saez. Never again he'll vex thy peace. 
Scarce had he breathed his last, when Mina — 

K. Ferd. Ha ! Still, still, — that daring traitor — 

Saez. — Joined by La Isla's furious band, and passing 
Our sluggish allies, forced the gates — 

K. Ferd. My blood ! 
For that the demons thirst. 

Saez. They seek Riego. 
Ignorant of his death, hither they direct 
Their course to claim him at thy hands. 

K. Ferd. Can I restore the dead? Would that I could. 
Ah, Saez, should Heaven hereafter deal by us 
As we have dealt — [Noise within-'] 

Saez. 'Tis Mina's traitorous band. 

K. Ferd. And let them come : 
Mother of God ! Is there a pang for man 
Reserved ; Death's fearful call ; the startling trump 
That wakes the sinner to his doom ; that doom 
Itself — can like remorse torment the soul ? 
DeLacy I Vidal ! Porlier 1 Murdered, tortured 
Riego ! — Tortured by the wretch he saved. 
Remorse ! Remorse ! Remorse I 

Saez. Their doom was just : 
If wrong, — to sorrow for it now when past 
All cure, were twice to suflfer for our sin. 

K, Ferd. And thou canst say that? Thou! Thou Evil One! 
Who tempted me to blood : Aye — And canst look 
As tho' thou had'st no soul to perish in the pit 
That flames before us. I am weak : my limbs 
Give way ; or rocks the earth beneath my feet? 

[Totters: Sa^z and AhAGOJiJ support him, 
Saez 1 Alagon ! Ye have changed 
To fiends I Unhand me I Off! Away! Away! 

[Sinks on his Couch, 

Alagon. Remorse makes fearful work. 

Saez. Pho ! Pho ! Remorse ^5 /ear : a bugbear raised 
By sickly consciences to affright themselves. 

Alagon. This flaw may quench even brighter hopes than 



66 

Saez. Brighter than San Fernando's jewelled crown — 
Or by God's Holy Mother might he lie 
Thus spectre -tranced 'till waked by Gabriel's blast. 

K, Ferd. Drink I Drink I Methinks I'd quaff an ocean 
dry. 
A fire burns here ; lit by the wrath of God. [^Alarms.'\ 

No traitor's sword, tho' driven to the hilt, 
Can stir the flame to fiercer heart ; nor quench it. 
Were my heart a lake of blood. \_To Saez.^ Glozing Serpent! 
Have I not cause to curse thee ? 

Avaunt! Thou'rt hateful to my sight. \_ExH Saez. 

The Page. ILooking out.] 0, See ! The green cockades ! 

lAlarms.] 
Alagon. [Looks out] 'Tis Mina, leading on La Isla's 

rebels. 
K. Ferd. Aye ! Rushing at my throat while Angouleme, 
That vaunting Gascon, loiters by the way, 
Alagon. Now I now! Behold! — My Guard retreat ! See! 

See ! 
K. Ferd. Base hounds ! And thou stand'st here ! Their 
leader! [Ai.agon going. 

Hold! — Nay go ! — Go or stay, my hour is come. 

[Exit Alagon. 
Is death indeed at hand ? And must T perish, 
My soul fresh-spotted with Riego's gore? 
Oh ! That once more I might confess my sins. 

[A retreat sounds. 
Hark ! Hark 1 My faithless Guard I Pray, pray for me, 
Blest Mother of God. [Totters : Noises near.] 

Enter Alagon and Guards ; and Saez, who catch him as he 

fa' Is. 

Saez. [Supports him.] Your Majesty is safe. 

[Distant bugle. 
K, Ferd. Saez! — Alagon! — I'm snatched from death. 

But Mina ?— 
Saez, Heard'st not the bugle's call? Mina retreats 
Toward the city gates, thro' which must he 
Quickly pass, or render up his sword o Angouleme. 
K. Ferd. [Laughs.] Saez, kill me not with joy. [Laughs. 
Victorious Angouleme I 
[Laughs.] I can but laugh. Audacious Mina, like 
A hunted fox, skulking for life, the while 
His doughty chief is swining to and fro 
Twixt earth and Heaven. [Laughs.] My coach! My 

coach ! 
Thy arms, good friends. 
[Takes an arm of each, and exeunt FePvDixand laughing.] 



67 

Scene V. 

The Prado. Solemn Music without. Enter MixAanc? Soldiers. 

Mina. Too late, my friends ! too late ! The mighty soul 
Of our great enterprize ; our chief, our brother, 
Is gone. Freed from his chains, he soars to realms 
No tyrant dare approach. The foes of liberty 
Alone were his •* Ye loved him, for ye knew 
He loved his country more than gold, or life, 
Or fame : Aye, more than mother, wife, or friend j 
His every thought her welfare and her glory. 

Enter the Brothers of Peace and Charity, hearing the bier of 
RiE(U), followed hi/ the Canon Riego, and after him Bal- 

LESTEROS. 

1st Brother. Alms, good friends, to inter the outlawed 
dead. 

^Alms are given hy Mixa, and the Soldiers., also by Balles- 
. teros.] 

Mina. {Bending over the bier.l Farewell ! Thou brother 
of my soul ! What tho' 
No purple pall be thine ! a grander canopy 
Is arched above thee, thro' whose azure folds 
Ood and His avenging Angels view 

Thy shroudless corse. Death — friend of suffering virtue, 
Hath tipped for thee his barbed dart with balm, 
And gently wafts thee to the sun-bright realm 
Above. Thy murderer tosses on his bed of down 
III Guilt's anticipated pains. What tho' 
No sculptured stone record thy praise ? when Ferdinand's 
Dismantled tomb shall be a crumbling ruin. 
The just, the brave, shall moisten witb tearful eye, 
The turf that marks Riego' s grave. 

[Covers the face wth his sash: the Brothers remove the 
Bier. The Procession passes j Mina and Soldiers stand- 
ing^with arms reversed. 

And now — far crueller fate — I quit thy shores, 

Land of my birth, enforced by foreign foes 

Leagued with thy traitor King — whose bayonets bend 

Thy neck beneath their yoke. I seek that generous Isle, 

The ever ready refuge of the oppressed. 

Thy star hath set : but Heaven in glory yet 

May send it forth : and exiled Mina live 

To greet its earliest beam, and lay his head 

Upon thy lap — beside thy martyred son. 

[Curtain falls to solemn music.'] 



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